Printing apparatus for displaying predetermined display screen for requesting printing to the printing apparatus and control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

ABSTRACT

A job management server, which is connected to a Web application server and a job processing apparatus via a network, comprises: a registration unit which registers, when a job received from the Web application server is added with information indicating that a request source of the job is the job processing apparatus, the job in a first job queue, and to register, when the job is not added with the information, the job in a second job queue having a lower priority than the first job queue; and a transmission unit which transmits the job registered in the first job queue in response to a request from the job processing apparatus while a user utilizes a Web application via the job processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system, job management server andcontrol method thereof, job processing apparatus and control methodthereof, and non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a peripheral apparatus control system, which connectsperipheral apparatuses to an information processing apparatus byutilizing various interfaces such as USB, Ethernet®, and a wireless LAN,is effectively used in various sites such as home and an office. Asexamples of peripheral apparatuses, a printer, copying machine,facsimile, scanner, digital camera, MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral)thereof, and the like are known.

To a printer and MFP of these peripheral apparatuses, for example,Google Inc. provides a cloud printing service called Google Cloud Print®(to be abbreviated as “GCP” hereinafter) utilizing the Internet. Usingthe cloud printing service, the user can launch (utilize) a documentcreation application (Web application) or the like using a Web browserinstalled in a personal computer (to be abbreviated as “PC” hereinafter)or mobile terminal, and can print a document using the printer or MFP.

Some advanced MFPs incorporate a Web browser. During an operation of aWeb browser of an MFP by a certain user, that MFP can simultaneouslyexecute print processing of a print job which is issued by another userfrom a PC or mobile terminal to the MFP while executing parallelprocessing in the background. Likewise, during an operation of a Webbrowser of an MFP by a certain user, when another user scans an originalusing that MFP from a PC, mobile terminal, or the like, the MFP cansimultaneously scan the original while executing processing related tothe Web browser. The user can launch (utilize) a document creation Webapplication using the Web browser incorporated in such MFP without usingthe PC or mobile terminal and can print a document using the MFP via theInternet. Also, the user can scan an original using the MFP whileoperating the Web browser incorporated in that MFP, and can upload anobtained scan image onto an image storage Web service or the like viathe Internet.

In case of the scan, as another technique especially related toexclusive control of a job, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-267701 isknown. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-267701 starts exclusivecontrol which is executed not to accept any scan-related requests fromterminal apparatuses other than that of a distribution destinationbefore a scan-related request is accepted, and ends the exclusivecontrol after scanned scan data is distributed to the terminal apparatusof the distribution destination.

A case will be examined below wherein the control system utilizing theaforementioned advanced MFP is broken down to that utilizing a low-end(that is, low-function) MFP. For example, some low-end MFPs incorporatea Web browser. Such low-end MFP includes a low-speed CPU, small-capacitymemory (RAM), and the like, and often does not include a sufficientstorage area. For this reason, due to insufficient hardware resource,during an operation of a Web browser of the MFP by a certain user, theMFP cannot simultaneously execute print processing of a print job whichis issued by another user from a PC, mobile terminal, or the like. Also,during an operation of the Web browser of the MFP by a certain user,even when another user wants to scan an original using the MFP from aPC, mobile terminal, or the like, the MFP cannot scan that original.

A case will be examined below wherein print processing is executed usinga low-end MFP, which cannot simultaneously execute print processingwhile executing parallel processing in the background. When a certainuser launches a Web browser of the low-end MFP, and operates a documentcreation application or the like, that user occupies that MFP. Theoperability of the user when the user operates the document creationapplication or the like, and wants to execute print processing using theMFP will be examined. In this case, it is desired that immediately afterthe user makes a print start operation, a print job issued by the printstart operation is immediately executed by that MFP without beinginterrupted by an external print job issued from another PC or the like.

A case will be examined below wherein, for example, when a certain user(user A) launches a Web browser of the MFP and operates a documentcreation application, another user (user B) launches a Web browser of aPC and operates a document creation application to execute printprocessing of documents of 100 pages. In this case, the documentcreation application issues a print job of the user B to the MFP.However, since the user A is using the Web browser at this MFP, printprocessing of the print job of the user B is not executed at this time.After that, when the user A operates the document creation applicationto execute print processing of documents of 3 pages, the documentcreation application issues a print job of the user A to the MFP. Then,after the user A closes the Web browser, the MFP starts print processingfor the issued print job. However, when the MFP processes the print jobof the user B issued earlier and executes print processing, the user hasto wait until the print processing for 100 pages of the user B iscomplete. Then, before the print processing for 100 pages of the user Bis complete, the user A cannot obtain printed products of his or herdocuments of 3 pages. In this manner, when the print job of the user Awho operates the Web browser of the low-end MFP is interrupted by theprint job issued by the user B by operating the Web browser, theoperability drops considerably. The same applies to a scan job.

Furthermore, a case will be examined below wherein as for a job issuedfrom each Web application by operating a Web browser of an MFP by auser, a server transmits that job notification to an MFP as a processingtarget. In this case, when excessive job notifications are transmitted,wasteful data communications are generated to increase the load on theserver, a data volume on a communication channel increases, and highercommunication cost is required according to the data traffic on theInternet. As a result, system building cost and service maintenance costare increased.

The present invention has been made in consideration of theaforementioned problems, and, for example, in a low-end MFP prevents aninterruption of a job issued from a PC or the like, and preferentiallyexecutes a job issued from an application when a user operates a Webbrowser of an MFP.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided asystem including a Web application server, a job management server, anda job processing apparatus, which are connected to each other via anetwork, the job processing apparatus comprising a utilizing unitconfigured to allow a user to utilize a Web application provided by theWeb application server, the Web application server comprising: anissuing unit configured to issue, when the Web application is utilizedvia the utilizing unit and a request to issue a job is input, the jobadded with information indicating that a request source is the jobprocessing apparatus; and a transmission unit configured to transmit theissued job to the job management server, the job management servercomprising: a registration unit configured to register, when theinformation is added to the received job, the job in a first job queue,and to register, when the information is not added to the job, the jobin a second job queue having a lower priority than the first job queue;and a unit configured to transmit the job registered in the job queue tothe job processing apparatus, and the job processing apparatus furthercomprising: a control unit configured not to accept the job registeredin the second job queue and to accept and execute the job registered inthe first job queue while the user utilizes the Web application usingthe utilizing unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda job management server, which is connected to a Web application serverand a job processing apparatus via a network, comprising: a registrationunit configured to register, when a job received from the Webapplication server is added with information indicating that a requestsource of the job is the job processing apparatus, the job in a firstjob queue, and to register, when the job is not added with theinformation, the job in a second job queue having a lower priority thanthe first job queue; and a transmission unit configured to transmit thejob registered in the first job queue in response to a request from thejob processing apparatus while a user utilizes a Web application via thejob processing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda job processing apparatus, which is connected to a Web applicationserver and a job management server via a network, comprising: autilizing unit configured to allow a user to utilize a Web applicationprovided by the Web application server; and an execution unit configuredto accept and execute only a job which is requested the Web applicationto issue when the user uses the utilizing unit of jobs managed by thejob management server while the user utilizes the Web application usingthe utilizing unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda control method of a job management server, which is connected to a Webapplication server and a job processing apparatus via a network, themethod comprising: a registration step of registering, when a jobreceived from the Web application server is added with informationindicating that a request source of the job is the job processingapparatus, the job in a first job queue, and registering, when the jobis not added with the information, the job in a second job queue havinga lower priority than the first job queue; and a transmission step oftransmitting the job registered in the first job queue in response to arequest from the job processing apparatus while a user utilizes a Webapplication via the job processing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda control method of a job processing apparatus, which is connected to aWeb application server and a job management server via a network, thejob management apparatus comprising a utilizing unit configured to allowa user to utilize a Web application provided by the Web applicationserver, the method comprising: a control step of accepting and executingonly a job which is requested the Web application to issue when the useruses the utilizing unit of jobs managed by the job management serverwhile the user utilizes the Web application using the utilizing unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program forcontrolling a computer, which is connected to a Web application serverand a job processing apparatus via a network, to function as: aregistration unit configured to register, when a job received from theWeb application server is added with information indicating that arequest source of the job is the job processing apparatus, the job in afirst job queue, and to register, when the job is not added with theinformation, the job in a second job queue having a lower priority thanthe first job queue; and a transmission unit configured to transmit thejob registered in the first job queue in response to a request from thejob processing apparatus while a user utilizes a Web application via thejob processing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program forcontrolling a computer, which is connected to a Web application serverand a job management server via a network, to function as: a utilizingunit configured to allow a user to utilize a Web application provided bythe Web application server; and an execution unit configured to acceptand execute only a job which is requested the Web application to issuewhen the user uses the utilizing unit of jobs managed by the jobmanagement server while the user utilizes the Web application using theutilizing unit.

According to the present invention, in a system including a low-functionMFP, the load on the MFP is reduced, and the operability of the MFP bythe user can be improved.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of asystem;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams showing examples of the hardwarearrangements of a PC, mobile terminal, and MFP;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the softwareconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a window of a document creationAPP displayed by a Web browser;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a print window;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing processing executed when adocument creation APP is executed from a Web browser of an MFP accordingto the first embodiment to execute print processing;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing processing executed when adocument creation APP is executed from a Web browser of a mobileterminal according to the first embodiment to execute print processing;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing processing executed when adocument creation APP is executed from a Web browser of an MFP accordingto the second embodiment to execute print processing;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flowcharts showing processing executed when areading APP is executed from a Web browser of an MFP according to thethird embodiment to read an original;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are flowcharts showing processing executed when areading APP is executed from a Web browser of a mobile terminalaccording to the third embodiment to read an original;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing job registration processing in a proxyAPP according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing job registration processing in a proxyAPP according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing job notification processing in the proxyAPP;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing job information return processing in theproxy APP according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing job registration processing andjob information return processing in a proxy APP according to the secondembodiment;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing job notification receptionprocessing in an MFP;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing job confirmation processing in an MFP;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D are tables showing configuration examplesof job queues in the proxy APP;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are tables used to store job information of a jobregistered in a job queue;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are views showing examples of a window and uploaddestination selection window provided by a reading APP;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are flowcharts showing deletion processing of a printjob in a proxy APP and deletion processing of a reading job in a cloudscan APP;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are flowcharts showing processing executed when adocument creation APP is executed from a Web browser of an MFP accordingto the seventh embodiment to execute print processing; and

FIGS. 23A and 23B are flowcharts showing exclusive control cancelprocessing in an MFP.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter withreference to the drawings. Note that embodiments do not limit thepresent invention, and all components described in embodiments are notalways indispensable for means for solving the problems of the presentinvention.

In the following description, a Web service API (Application ProgramInterface) may use an HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SecureSocket Layer) POST method (an example of a communication method)encrypted by an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) communication. Since the POSTmethod is information generally open to the public, a detaileddescription thereof will not be given. Also, in the followingdescription, the Web service API may use an HTTP GET method (an exampleof a communication method). Since the GET method is informationgenerally open to the public, a detailed description thereof will not begiven. Furthermore, in the following description, the Web service APImay use an HTTPS GET method (an example of a communication method)encrypted by an SSL communication. Since the GET method is informationgenerally open to the public, a detailed description thereof will not begiven.

Also, since the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is a knownnon-encrypted communication protocol, a detailed description thereofwill not be given. Also, since the HTTPS is a known encryptedcommunication protocol, a detailed description thereof will not begiven. Furthermore, since the SSL is a known method for exchangingencrypted data on the Internet, a detailed description thereof will notbe given. Moreover, since a description about the GCP taken as anexample of a cloud print service is published on a site (URL:http://code.google.com/apis/cloudprint/docs/overview.html), a detaileddescription thereof will not be given. In addition, a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) is a known interface which allows bidirectionalcommunications, and a detailed description thereof will not be given.

First Embodiment

[System Arrangement]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of asystem including information processing apparatuses and peripheralapparatuses (job processing apparatuses). Each of PCs 1, 2, 5, and 7 isan example of an information processing apparatus (computer), and is,for example, a general PC. Each of the PCs 1, 2, 5, and 7 includeshardware shown in FIG. 2A.

In the PC 1, as an Operating System (to be abbreviated as an OShereinafter), an OS equivalent to a Chrome® OS available from GoogleInc. is installed. In the PCs 2 and 5, a Windows® Server OS availablefrom Microsoft Corporation is installed. In the PC 7, an OS equivalentto Linux® is installed. The PCs 1, 2, 5, and 7 are respectivelyconnected to networks 4, 8, 10, and 6 configured by interfaces (I/Fs)such as Ethernet®, and are also connected to the Internet 12. Note thatthe network interface may be either a wired or wireless interface.

Each of MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals) 3 and 103 includes a colorinkjet printer, color facsimile, color scanner, external storage for aflash memory, and the like, and is an example of a peripheral apparatus.The following description will be given under the assumption that eachof the MFPs 3 and 103 is that having a model name “Kmmn” available fromCompany ABC. Note that as peripheral apparatuses, a printer, copyingmachine, facsimile, scanner, digital camera, apparatus which includesthese multi-functions, and the like may be used. Each of the MFPs 3 and103 includes hardware shown in FIG. 2B. The MFP 3 is connected to anetwork 11 configured by Ethernet®, and is also connected to theInternet 12. The MFP 103 is connected to a network 104 configured byEthernet®, and is also connected to the Internet 12.

A router 13 is, for example, a broadband router including a Wi-Fi®wireless LAN (Wi-Fi BB Router), and is connected to the Internet 12. Amobile terminal 14 corresponds to a mobile phone, mobile informationterminal, or the like. The mobile terminal 14 includes hardware shown inFIG. 2A. The mobile terminal 14 is connected to the router 13, andconnected to the Internet 12 via the router 13. In the mobile terminal14, an OS equivalent to an Android® OS available from Google Inc. isinstalled as an OS. The following description will be given under theassumption that the mobile terminal 14 is a mobile phone.

The PCs 1, 2, 5, and 7, the mobile terminal 14, and the MFPs 3 and 103can make bidirectional communications via the Internet 12. A Web browser25 is installed in the PC 1, and a Web browser 9 is installed in themobile terminal 14. Web browsers 27 and 28 are respectively installed inthe MFPs 3 and 103. The Web browsers 27 and 28 are of the same type, butthe Web browsers 9, 25, and 27 are respectively of different types. HTTPuser agents passed to a document creation APP 145 and cloud scan APP 148in User-Agent headers of HTTP requests by the Web browsers 9, 25, and 27are respectively different, and for example, they are defined asfollows.

User agent of the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14: User-Agent:XXXX/5.0 (AAAA)

User agent of the Web browser 25 of the PC 1: User-Agent: XXXX/6.0(CCCC)

User agent of the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3: User-Agent: YYYY/4.0(DDDD)

“AAAA”, “CCCC”, and “DDDD” represent pieces of information required toidentify respective terminals. Each of a document creation APP 145 andcloud scan APP 148 can discriminate whether a terminal of interest isany of the mobile terminal 14, PC 1, and MFP 3 using these pieces ofinformation, and can switch a window to be displayed by that applicationand internal processing.

An application 145 is a document creation application using a Webservice, and will be referred to as a document creation APP 145hereinafter. An application 146 provides a cloud print service using aWeb service, and will be referred to as a cloud print APP 146hereinafter. An application 147 is that required to read an image anddocument using a Web service, and will be referred to as a reading APP147 hereinafter. An application 148 provides a cloud scan service usinga Web service, and will be referred to as a cloud scan APP 148hereinafter.

The cloud print APP 146 has a function equivalent to, for example, theGCP provided by Google Inc. By utilizing this cloud print service, thedocument creation APP 145 is executed from the Web browser 25 of the PC1 or the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14, an arbitrary document(document file) is opened, and can be printed using the MFP 3 or 103.With these applications, the PC 7 functions as a Web application server.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of user interfaces (UIs) displayed by theWeb browser. Note that details will be described later. For example,when the user wants to print an opened document, and selects a printmenu 401 shown in FIG. 4 , a print window 142 shown in FIG. 5 isdisplayed by the cloud print APP 146. When the user selects a printer onthe print window 142 and then presses a print button 534 to input aprint execution instruction, the document creation APP 145 generates aprint image as a PDF file. Then, the cloud print APP 146 generates aprint job from this print image (PDF file) and print setting valuesselected on the print window 142, and stores a print job in a printqueue for the selected printer in the cloud print service. Also, thecloud print APP 146 transmits a print job notification. A transmissiondestination of the print job notification is a printer as a print targetor an apparatus (a proxy APP 143 in an example of this embodiment to bedescribed later) which relays the notification to a printer.

When the MFP includes a rendering function of a PDF file, it can printthe print job stored in the print queue. However, a low-end MFP (lowerfunction) does not normally include a rendering function of a PDF file.Therefore, when the print job stored in the print queue is to be printedby such MFP, processing for converting the print image of the PDF fileinto an image format (for example, a JPEG format) of a type which can berendered by the low-end MFP as pre-processing becomes necessary.

The cloud scan APP 148 provides a cloud scan service which can uploadimage data of photos and documents read by the MFPs 3 and 103 onto adata sharing site. As an example of the data sharing site, “Picasa WebAlbums” provided by Google Inc. is known. By utilizing such cloud scanservice, the MFP reads a photo or the like via the reading APP 147executed from the Web browser of the PC 1 or mobile terminal 14 togenerate image data, and can upload that image data to a Web servicesuch as the data sharing site. An embodiment of the cloud scan will bedescribed later in the third embodiment.

An application 143 provides a proxy service which controls the MFP tosupport the cloud print service provided by the cloud print APP 146 andthe cloud scan service provided by the cloud scan APP 148. Theapplication 143 will be referred to as a proxy APP 143 hereinafter. Theproxy APP 143 installed in the PC 2 simultaneously manages, for example,5000 MFPs. Then, the proxy APP 143 controls these MFPs to support thecloud print service provided by the cloud print APP 146 and the cloudscan service provided by the cloud scan APP 148. The proxy APP 143includes print queues and scan queues shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D. Withthese applications, the PC 2 functions as a job management server.Details of the queues will be described later.

The cloud print APP 146 or cloud scan APP 148 issues and assigns adevice ID (identifier), which is expressed by a value unique to eachMFP, upon registration of the MFP, and notifies the MFP as aregistration target of the device ID. Note that processing related toregistration of the MFP uses the conventional method, and a detaileddescription thereof will not be given.

An application 144 provides an image conversion service for converting aPDF file into a JPEG file, and will be referred to as an imageconversion APP 144 hereinafter.

[Hardware Arrangement]

FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams showing example of the hardwarearrangements of the PC, mobile terminal, and MFP. Each of the PCs 1, 2,5, and 7 and the mobile terminal 14 includes hardware shown in FIG. 2A.The hardware arrangement of the PC 2 will be exemplified below withreference to FIG. 2A. The PC 2 includes a random access memory unit (RAM201), hard disk drive unit (HDD 202), keyboard unit (KBD 203), CPU 204,display (LCD 205), and network board (NB 207). Also, the PC 2 includes abus 206 which interconnects the aforementioned units.

Note that the HDD 202 is an example of a storage unit. The storage unitmay be a portable CD-ROM, internally fixed ROM, flash memory, SSD, orthe like. The KBD 203 is an example of an input unit. The CPU 204 is anexample of a control unit. The LCD 205 is an example of a display unit.The NB 207 is an example of a communication control unit. Programs ofthe proxy APP 143, respective modules (software) shown in FIG. 3 , andthe like are stored in the HDD 202, and are read out onto the RAM 201 asneeded by the CPU 204 when they are executed. Thus, the function of theproxy APP 143, those of the respective modules (software) shown in FIG.3 , and the like are implemented. Also, various databases (DBs) areallocated in the HDD 202, and information of each database is read outonto the RAM 201 as needed by the CPU 204.

Each of the MFPs 3 and 103 includes hardware shown in FIG. 2B. Thehardware arrangement of the MFP 3 will be exemplified below withreference to FIG. 2B. A CPU 15 includes a microprocessor and the like.The CPU 15 serves as a central processing unit of the MFP 3, andcontrols a RAM 17, communication unit 18, recording unit 19, operationunit 20, display unit 21, reading unit 22, facsimile control unit 23,and external storage control unit 24 in accordance with programs storedin a ROM 16.

The ROM 16 stores programs required for the MFP 3 to execute recording(print) processing, processing for notifying the PC of a print operationstatus, and the like under the control of a printer driver (not shown).Also, the ROM 16 stores programs required for the MFP 3 to executefacsimile transmission processing or reception processing and processingfor notifying the PC of a facsimile operation (transmission orreception) status under the control of a FAX driver (not shown).Furthermore, the ROM 16 stores programs required for the MFP 3 toexecute image reading processing and processing for notifying the PC ofa reading operation status under the control of a WIA driver (not shown)and TWAIN driver (not shown).

The RAM 17 temporarily stores print data. The print data is mainly sentfrom the PC, and print processing is executed by the recording unit 19based on the print data. Also, the RAM 17 temporarily stores image dataread by the reading unit 22, facsimile transmission data sent from thePC, facsimile reception data received by the facsimile control unit 23,and the like. The communication unit 18 includes a connection port forthe network 4, an analog telephone line connection port, and the like,and controls Ethernet® and facsimile analog communications. Therecording unit 19 includes a recording unit configured by an inkjetrecording head, color inks, carriage, recording sheet conveyancemechanism, and the like, and an electrical circuit configured by an ASICrequired to generate print pulses in the recording head based on printdata and the like.

For example, a file (image data) designated by a print operation orfacsimile transmission operation on the application is temporarilystored in the HDD 202 of the PC 2 as a spool file of an EMF (EnhancedMetafile) format. Then, the spool file is converted into print data orfacsimile transmission data including control commands of the MFP 3 viathe printer driver or FAX driver, and the converted data is sent to theMFP 3 via the Internet. The print data received by the MFP 3 isconverted into print pulses by the recording unit 19, and is printed ona recording sheet. Also, the facsimile transmission data received by theMFP 3 is converted into a facsimile communication protocol by thefacsimile control unit 23, and is transmitted to a partner facsimileapparatus via an analog telephone line.

The operation unit 20 is configured by various buttons including a powerbutton, reset button, and the like, and accepts an operation for the MFP3. The display unit 21 is configured by a touch panel type liquidcrystal display, and can display a status of the MFP 3, and can displayand input various kinds of setting information and telephone numbers.The reading unit 22 includes an electrical circuit configured by a colorimage sensor, image processing ASIC, and the like, and controls ascanner function. The facsimile control unit 23 is configured by afacsimile modem, analog communication circuit, and the like, andcontrols facsimile transmission and reception according to a facsimilecommunication protocol. The external storage control unit 24 isconfigured by a slot required to attach a flash memory, a storageinterface circuit, and the like, and controls the attached flash memory.

[Software Configuration]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the PC.The software configuration of the PC 2 will be exemplified below withreference to FIG. 3 . An I/F 92 is an I/F control interface required tocontrol an I/F of Ethernet® or the like. An IP Network 91 is an IPNetwork control interface required to control an IP network. IIS(Internet Information Services) 90 correspond to an IIS control modulewhich controls the IIS, and the proxy APP 143 provides a Web service byutilizing a Web server function of the IIS 90. A JAVA® VM (VirtualMachine) 89 is software required to convert Java® byte codes into nativecodes of a platform and to execute the converted codes. The proxy APP143 runs on the JAVA® VM 89. Applications 82 include a plurality ofapplications, and include the proxy APP 143 and an application 150 inthis case. Note that the application 150 indicates one generalapplication, and is not especially limited.

[Display Window Example]

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a window of the document creationAPP 145 of the PC 7, which is displayed by the Web browser. FIG. 4 showsa state in which a certain document is opened on the Web browser. Thedocument creation APP 145 transmits information of this window to themobile terminal 14, PC 1, and MFPs 3 and 103. Then, the mobile terminal14, PC 1, and MFPs 3 and 103 receive that information and display thatwindow on the Web browsers 9, 25, 27, and 28.

A file menu 402 includes sub menus used to open documents or contents,which are saved in advance, by displaying a content (document) selectionwindow (not shown), and to create a new document. The user can select adocument or content or can create a new document using the sub menus.Note that the content (document) selection window is configured by awindow similar to a general file selection window of the PC or the like,and a description thereof will not be given. A print menu 401 acceptsvarious operations related to print processing. For example, when theuser presses the print menu 401 upon printing a document opened byoperating the input unit such as the KBD 203 or operation unit 20, aprint window 142 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the print window 142. The printwindow 142 is provided by the document creation APP 145 as a printsetting window for the MFP 3 or 103 with respect to the user. Thedocument creation APP 145 transmits window information of the printwindow 142 to the mobile terminal 14, PC 1, or the MFP 3 or 103 inresponse to a request. Then, the mobile terminal 14, PC 1, or the MFP 3or 103 receives that information, and displays the print window 142 bythe Web browser 9, 25, 27, or 28.

Device choices 535, 536, and 537 are those of selectable devices. Thedevice choices 535, 536, and 537 respectively represent those of an MFPwith a model name AkbNmb available from Company GHI, an MFP with a modelname Kmmn available from Company ABC (corresponding to the MFP 3 of thisembodiment), and an MFP with a model name Xyz available from CompanyDEF. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the device choice 536 whichrepresents the MFP 3 is selected. When the print window 142 is displayedon the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3, the document creation APP 145transmits information required to display the device choice 536 alone tothe MFP 3, so as not to allow the user to select other devices. On theother hand, when the print window 142 is displayed on the Web browser 9of the mobile terminal 14, the document creation APP 145 transmitsinformation required to display the device choices 535, 536, and 537 tothe mobile terminal 14, and the mobile terminal 14 receives thatinformation and displays it on the Web browser 9. Thus, when the useroperates the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14, the documentcreation APP 145 controls to allow that user to select all devices. Thesame applies to the PC 1.

Using a paper size selection part 530, for example, a size of a papersheet used in a print operation of the MFP 3 is selected from options“A5”, “A4”, “B5”, and “Letter” according to a user operation. FIG. 5illustrates a state in which “Letter” is selected. Using a paper typeselection part 531, for example, a type of a paper sheet used in a printoperation of the MFP 3 is selected from options “Plain Paper”, “PhotoPaper”, and “Postcard” according to a user operation. FIG. 5 illustratesa state in which “Plain Paper” is selected.

Using a print quality selection part 532, for example, a print qualityused in a print operation of the MFP 3 is selected from options “High”,“Standard”, and “Fast” according to a user operation. FIG. 5 illustratesa state in which “Standard” is selected. Using a color/density selectionpart 533, for example, a color and density used in a print operation ofthe MFP 3 are selected from options “Auto” and “Manual” according to auser operation. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which “Auto” is selected.

A print button 534 accepts a print start instruction. When the printbutton 534 is pressed by a user operation, the document creation APP 145generates a print job for the MFP 3, which is associated with the devicechoice 536, and issues that print job to the cloud print APP 146. Aclose button 538 accepts a close instruction of the print window 142.When the close button 538 is pressed by a user operation, the documentcreation APP 145 closes the print window 142.

[Processing Sequence]

FIGS. 6A to 17 and FIGS. 21A to 23B show examples of flowcharts relatedto the processing of the overall control system. Programs related tothese flowcharts are embedded in the PC or MFP. Programs of applicationswhich run on the PC are stored in the HDD 202, and are read out onto theRAM 201 by the CPU 204 when they are executed. Programs of applicationswhich run on the MFP are stored in the ROM 16, and are read out onto theRAM 17 when they are executed by the CPU 15.

In FIGS. 6A, 6B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 21B, 22A, and 22B, the documentcreation APP 145 (or reading APP 147), cloud print APP 146 (or cloudscan APP 148), proxy APP 143, and MFP 3 (Web browser 27) are describedin turn from the left side of the drawings as processing executionsources (main bodies). In FIGS. 7A, 7B, 10A, and 10B, the mobileterminal 14 (Web browser 9), cloud print APP 146 (or cloud scan APP148), proxy APP 143, document creation APP 145 (or reading APP 147), andMFP 3 (Web browser 27) are described in turn from the left side of thedrawings as processing execution sources. In FIG. 13, and 21A, thedocument creation APP 145, proxy APP 143, and image conversion APP 144are described in turn from the left side of the drawings as processingexecution sources. However, if there is no processing for a certainexecution source, the execution source is omitted. Cases will beexemplified below wherein the user executes a document print operation(a series of processes related to printing a document) and photo readingoperation by the MFP 3 using the mobile terminal 14 or MFP 3.

(Processing when MFP Issues Print Instruction)

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of the flowchart showing processingexecuted when the document creation APP 145 is executed from the Webbrowser 27 of the MFP 3 to execute a print operation. In FIGS. 6A and6B, when the user launches the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 and requestsit to execute the document creation APP 145, this processing sequence isstarted (step S3601). The MFP 3 issues a job obtaining request to theproxy APP 143 (step S3602). The proxy APP 143 executes job informationreturn processing shown in FIG. 14 , and returns that processing resultto the MFP 3 (step S3603).

In step S3604, the MFP 3 receives print job information or reading jobinformation like the following examples, and executes print processing(step S3621) or reading processing (step S3920).

[Example of Print Job Information]

jobId: prn0004

dateTime: 20120814122435001

host: mfp

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/ticket/prn0004/ticket.xml

dataUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/data/prn0004/data.jpg

status: queued

[Example of Reading Job Information]

jobId: scn0306

dateTime: 20120814122423008

host: mfp

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/ticket/scn0306/ticket.xml

uploadUri: https://storageservice.xxx/user/chancy/private/

temporaryUploadUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/data/scn0306/

status: queued

After completion of the print processing or reading processing, the MFP3 notifies the proxy APP 143 of that information (step S3604). In stepS3605, the proxy APP 143 executes job deletion processing shown in FIGS.21A and 21B, thus ending a series of processes related to that job (stepS3606).

Note that a job request to the MFP 3 is also issued from a device otherthan the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3, and a job is registered in thequeue of the proxy APP 143. For example, when the user issues a printjob from the mobile terminal 14 to the MFP 3 in a power-OFF state of theMFP 3, that job is accumulated in the queue, and the MFP 3 normallyexecutes that print job when it is turned on. At this time, the MFP 3may fail to execute that print job due to an arbitrary internal error orthe like, and the job may remain accumulated in the queue in some cases.Alternatively, when the user issues a print job by operating the Webbrowser 27 of the MFP 3 in a power-ON state of the MFP 3, that job mayremain accumulated in the queue due to arbitrary error termination ofthe Web browser 27 in some cases.

In such situation, when the MFP 3 issues the job obtaining request tothe proxy APP 143 in step S3602, whether or not a job to the MFP 3remains is confirmed. Then, when a job remains in the queue, the MFP 3normally preferentially executes a job which is issued earlier (the MFP3 re-executes that job when it has failed to execute that job). That is,even when a Web application is used via the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3,jobs are executed in an order they are issued.

The present invention has as its object to execute a job issued when theuser operates the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 by attaching top priorityto that job. For this reason, for example, when the MFP 3 issues a jobobtaining request to the proxy APP 143 in step S3602, it designates anoption to obtain only a job in a top priority job queue in the job queueshown in FIG. 18A. Then, only when a job is registered in the toppriority job queue, the proxy APP 143 returns job information to the MFP3. Thus, a job issued from an application launched by the user from theWeb browser 27 of the MFP 3 is executed to have the top priority, andthe user can most preferentially operate respective applications such asthe document creation APP 145 by operating the Web browser 27.

In step S3607, the MFP 3 transitions to a mode for excluding anexternally input job, and permitting only acceptance of a jobnotification, and the process advances to step S3608. FIGS. 16A and 16Bshow job notification reception processing executed by the MFP 3 in thismode. In step S3608, the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 requests thedocument creation APP 145 to transmit a home window. The documentcreation APP 145 transmits information of the home window to the MFP 3in response to the request (step S3609). Then, the MFP 3 displays thereceived home window on the Web browser 27 (step S3608). When the useroperates the Web browser 27 to start selection of a print target content(document) using the sub menu in the file menu 402, the Web browser 27requests the document creation APP 145 to transmit the content(document) selection window (step S3610). The document creation APP 145transmits information of the content (document) selection window to theMFP 3 in response to the request (step S3611). Then, the MFP 3 displaysthe content (document) selection window on the Web browser 27 (stepS3610).

When the user presses the print menu 401 shown in FIG. 4 while selectinga content (document), the Web browser 27 requests the document creationAPP 145 to transmit the print window 142 shown in FIG. 5 (step S3610).The document creation APP 145 transmits information of the print window142 to the MFP 3 in response to the request (step S3611). Then, the MFP3 displays the print window 142 on the Web browser 27 (step S3610). Whenthe user presses the print button 534, the Web browser 27 issues a printrequest to the document creation APP 145 (step S3612). At this time,this print request includes information indicating that a host (requestsource) which issued this print request is the MFP (host=mfp), andinformation indicating that this print request does not require any jobnotification to the MFP 3 (notification=no). Note that the print requestmay also include other kinds of information such as informationindicating a print target document.

Upon acceptance of the print request from the MFP 3, the documentcreation APP 145 issues a print job to the cloud print APP 146 (stepS3613). At this time, the print request includes information indicatingthat a host which issued the print request of the print job is the MFP(host=mfp), and information indicating that this print request does notrequire any job notification to the MFP 3 (notification=no) according tothe print request received from the MFP 3. The cloud print APP 146inputs the print job to the print queue of the proxy APP 143 (stepS3614).

At this time, the cloud print APP 146 further adds issuedyear/month/day/time information of the print job to the print job. Theproxy APP 143 executes job registration processing shown in FIG. 11 ,and returns a job ID (print job ID) to the cloud print APP 146 (stepS3615). Then, the proxy APP 143 enters a waiting state of a jobobtaining request from the MFP 3 (step S3616).

The cloud print APP 146 returns the job ID (print job ID) returned fromthe proxy APP 143 to the document creation APP 145. Furthermore, inresponse to acceptance of the job ID from the cloud print APP 146, thedocument creation APP 145 notifies the MFP 3 of information indicatingthat the print job is issued. At this time, the document creation APP145 notifies the MFP 3 of the job ID (print job ID) returned from thecloud print APP 146 together. This notification can be attained byutilizing, for example, the JavaScript® embedded in Web pageinformation. At the issuance timing of the print job, the Web browser 27executes a Print function, which is exported by the MFP 3 to the Webbrowser 27, via the JavaScript®.

When the Print function is called, the MFP 3 receives informationrepresenting that the print job is registered in the print queue. Atthis time, the job ID (print job ID) included in the receivedinformation is passed to the MFP 3 as an argument of the Print function,and the MFP 3 also obtains the job ID (print job ID) generated by theproxy APP 143 (step S3617). In this manner, since the MFP 3 includes thePrint function, and the Web browser 27 utilizes the Print function viathe JavaScript®, an unnecessary job notification can be omitted. As aresult, reductions of the load on the server, the data traffic of thecommunication channel, and the data communication cost can be attained.

In step S3617, upon reception of information indicating that the printjob has already been issued, the MFP 3 displays a message indicatingthat execution of print-related processing is in progress like “in printpreparation” or “print in progress” on the display unit 21. Then, theMFP 3 notifies the user of transition to the print mode (printprocessing in progress). At this time, the MFP 3 displays this messagewithout using the Web browser 27 so as to reduce the load. The MFP 3waits for an elapse of an assumed time period (for example, about 3 sec)required for the image conversion APP 144 to complete image conversion(step S4306 in FIG. 13 ) (step S3618), and then issues a job obtainingrequest to the proxy APP 143 (step S3619). The proxy APP 143 executesjob information return processing (FIG. 14 ), and returns the followingprint job information to the MFP 3 as a result of the processing (stepS3620).

[Example of Print Job Information]

jobId: prn0004

dateTime: 20120814122435001

host: mfp

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/ticket/prn001/ticket.xml

dataUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/data/prn001/data.jpg

status: queued

When the proxy APP 143 does not return any print job information to theMFP 3 for the reason of incompletion of image conversion or the like instep S3620, the MFP 3 repeats the processes of steps S3618 and S3619until print job information can be obtained or an error is determinedafter a prescribed retry count (for example, 100) is exceeded. The MFP 3obtains a storage destination of a print setting file indicating printsettings and that of a print image file from the print job information.A combination of the print setting file and print image file will bereferred to as “print data” hereinafter. Also, the print setting filewill also be referred to as a (print) job ticket. The print setting fileis stored at a path (URI) designated by “ticketUri”, and the print imagefile is stored at a path (URI) designated by “dataUri”. The printsetting file is stored in the HDD 202 in the PC 7, and the print imagefile is stored in the HDD 202 in the PC 5.

The MFP 3 obtains print data by accessing the paths designated by“ticketUri” and “dataUri” in the print job information. The MFP 3executes print processing according to the contents of the print settingfile and print image file, and then notifies the proxy APP 143 ofcompletion of the print processing (step S3621). In step S3622, theproxy APP 143 executes job deletion processing (FIG. 21A), thus ending aseries of processes related to that job (step S3623).

After completion of the print processing, the Web browser 27 of the MFP3 requests the document creation APP 145 to transmit a home window (stepS3624). The document creation APP 145 transmits information of the homewindow to the MFP 3 (step S3625). Then, the MFP 3 displays the homewindow on the Web browser 27 (step S3624). The MFP 3 waits for a userinput operation (step S3626).

(Processing when Mobile Terminal Issues Print Instruction)

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an example of the flowchart showing processingexecuted when the document creation APP 145 is executed from the Webbrowser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 to execute a print operation. InFIGS. 7A and 7B, when the user launches the Web browser 9 of the mobileterminal 14 and requests it to execute the document creation APP 145,this processing sequence is started (step S3701). The Web browser 9requests the document creation APP 145 to transmit a home window (stepS3702). The document creation APP 145 transmits information of the homewindow to the mobile terminal 14 in response to the request (stepS3703). Then, the mobile terminal 14 displays the home window on the Webbrowser 9 (step S3702). When the user operates the Web browser 9 andstarts selection of a print target content (document) from the sub menuin the file menu 402, the Web browser 9 requests the document creationAPP 145 to transmit a content (document) selection window (step S3704).The document creation APP 145 transmits information of the content(document) selection window to the mobile terminal 14 in response to therequest (step S3705). Then, the mobile terminal 14 displays the content(document) selection window on the Web browser 9 (step S3704).

When the user presses the print menu 401 shown in FIG. 4 while selectinga content (document), the Web browser 9 requests the document creationAPP 145 to transmit the print window 142 shown in FIG. 5 (step S3704).The document creation APP 145 transmits information of the print window142 to the mobile terminal 14 in response to the request (step S3705).Then, the mobile terminal 14 displays the print window 142 on the Webbrowser 9 (step S3704).

When the user presses the print button 534 while selecting the devicechoice 536 (MFP 3), the Web browser 9 issues a print request to thedocument creation APP 145 (step S3706). At this time, the print requestincludes information indicating that a host (request source) whichissued this print request is the mobile terminal 14 (host=phone), andinformation indicating that this print request requires a jobnotification to the MFP 3 (notification=yes). Note that the printrequest may also include other kinds of information such as informationindicating a print target document.

Upon acceptance of the print request from the mobile terminal 14, thedocument creation APP 145 issues a print job to the cloud print APP 146(step S3707). At this time, the print job includes informationindicating that a host which issued the print request of the print jobis the mobile terminal (host=phone), and information indicating that theprint request requires a job notification to the MFP 3(notification=yes) according to the print request received from themobile terminal 14. The cloud print APP 146 inputs the print job to theprint queue of the proxy APP 143 (step S3708). At this time, the cloudprint APP 146 further adds issued year/month/day/time information of theprint job to the print job.

The proxy APP 143 executes job registration processing (FIG. 11 ), andreturns a job ID (print job ID) to the cloud print APP 146 (step S3709).Then, the proxy APP 143 waits for a print job obtaining request from theMFP 3 (step S3710). The cloud print APP 146 returns the job ID (printjob ID) returned from the proxy APP 143 to the document creation APP145. Furthermore, when the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14receives a response of the print request issued to the document creationAPP 145, it requests the document creation APP 145 to transmit a homewindow (step S3711). The document creation APP 145 transmits informationof the home window to the mobile terminal 14 in response to the request(step S3712). Then, the mobile terminal 14 displays the home window onthe Web browser 9 (step S3711). After that, the mobile terminal 14 waitsfor a user input operation (step S3713).

When the proxy APP 143 transmits a job notification to the MFP 3 (stepS4309 in FIG. 13 ) and the MFP 3 receives the job notification (stepS3714), the MFP 3 displays a message indicating that execution ofprint-related processing is in progress like “in print preparation” or“print in progress” on the display unit 21. Then, the MFP 3 notifies theuser of transition to the print mode. At this time, the MFP 3 displaysthis message without using the Web browser 27. The MFP 3 issues a jobobtaining request to the proxy APP 143 (step S3715). The proxy APP 143executes job information return processing (FIG. 14 ), and returns thefollowing print job information to the MFP 3 as a result of theprocessing (step S3716).

[Example of Print Job Information]

jobId: prn0001

dateTime: 20120814121812100

host: phone

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/ticket/prn001/ticket.xml

dataUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/data/prn001/data.jpg

status: queued

The MFP 3 obtains a storage destination of a print setting file whichrepresents print settings and that of a print image file (“ticketUri”and “dataUri”) from the print job information. The MFP 3 obtains printdata by accessing paths (URIs) designated by “ticketUri” and “dataUri”.The MFP 3 executes print processing according to the contents of theprint setting file and print image file, and then notifies the proxy APP143 of completion of the print processing (step S3717). In step S3719,the proxy APP 143 executes job deletion processing (FIG. 21A), thusending a series of processes related to that job (step S3720). Aftercompletion of the print processing, the MFP 3 transitions to an onlinestandby state (step S3718).

(Job Registration Processing)

FIG. 11 shows an example of the flowchart showing the job registrationprocessing in the proxy APP 143. This processing corresponds to stepS3615 in FIG. 6B, step S3709 in FIG. 7A, step S3815 in FIG. 8B, stepS3915 in FIG. 9B, and step S4009 in FIG. 10A. Note that FIGS. 8A to 10Bwill be described in the second and third embodiments. In FIG. 11 , whenthe job registration processing is requested, the proxy APP 143 startsthe job registration processing (step S4101).

The proxy APP 143 confirms a type of a host as a job request source. Ifthe proxy APP 143 determines that the host is the MFP (host=mfp) (YES instep S4102), the process advances to step S4103; if it determines thatthe host is other than the MFP (mobile terminal or PC) (NO in stepS4102), the process advances to step S4104. In step S4103, the proxy APP143 registers the job in the top priority job queue in the job queueshown in FIG. 18A, and saves respective pieces of information in a tablewhich is required to store job information and is shown in FIG. 19A or19B.

In step S4104, the proxy APP 143 confirms a job type. If the proxy APP143 determines that the job is a print job (YES in step S4104), theprocess advances to step S4105; if it determines that the job is otherthan a print job (reading job) (NO in step S4104), the process advancesto step S4106. In step S4105, the proxy APP 143 registers the job at thebottom position of a general print queue in the job queue shown in FIG.18A, and saves respective pieces of information in the table which isrequired to store job information of the print job and is shown in FIG.19A. In step S4106, the proxy APP 143 registers the job in a generalscan queue in the job queue shown in FIG. 18A, and saves respectivepieces of information in the table which is required to store jobinformation of the reading job and is shown in FIG. 19B. In step S4107,the proxy APP 143 generates a job ID (print job ID or reading job ID).In step S4108, the proxy APP 143 returns the generated job ID to a callsource of this processing, thus ending this processing sequence (stepS4108).

(Job Notification Processing)

FIG. 13 shows an example of the flowchart showing the job notificationprocessing in the proxy APP 143. The proxy APP 143 is always active,executes the processing shown in FIG. 13 in turn for devices (MFP andthe like) as management/control targets, and transmits a jobnotification (print job notification or reading job notification) to thetarget device as needed. FIG. 13 shows the processing after a targetdevice is specified. A case will be exemplified below wherein the MFP 3is specified as the target device.

When the proxy APP 143 specifies the target device (MFP 3 in this case)and requests job notification processing, the processing shown in FIG.13 is started (step S4301). The proxy APP 143 confirms a status of thedevice (step S4302). If the proxy APP 143 determines that the devicestatus is “online” (YES in step S4303), the process advances to stepS4304; otherwise (NO in step S4303), the process jumps to step S4310. Instep S4304, the proxy APP 143 confirms the presence/absence of a printjob of the MFP 3 with reference to the job queue shown in FIG. 18A. Ifthe proxy APP 143 determines that the print job is present (YES in stepS4304), the process advances to step S4305; otherwise (NO in stepS4304), the process jumps to step S4307.

In step S4305, the proxy APP 143 requests the image conversion APP 144to execute image conversion processing related to the print job. Theimage conversion APP 144 converts a print target image into a fileformat (JPEG file in this case) printable by the MFP 3 according to theimage conversion request from the proxy APP 143 (step S4306). The printtarget image corresponds to a print target content or a PDF filegenerated for print processing, which is temporarily stored in the HDD202 by the document creation APP 145. After completion of the imageconversion processing by the image conversion APP 144, the proxy APP 143refers to detailed information of the print job shown in FIG. 19A usingthe job ID of the print job being processed as a key so as to confirm ifa job notification is required. If the proxy APP 143 determines that ajob notification is required (notification=yes) (YES in step S4308), theprocess advances to step S4309; otherwise (notification=no) (NO in stepS4308), the process jumps to step S4310. In step S4308, the proxy APP143 saves the determination result in the table which is required tostore job information and is shown in FIG. 19A or 19B.

In step S4307, the proxy APP 143 refers to the job queue shown in FIG.18A to confirm the presence/absence of a reading job of the MFP 3. Ifthe proxy APP 143 determines that the reading job is present (YES instep S4307), the process advances to step S4308; otherwise (NO in stepS4307), the process jumps to step S4310. In step S4309, the proxy APP143 transmits a job notification (print job notification or reading jobnotification) to the MFP 3. After that, the proxy APP 143 ends thisprocessing sequence (step S4310).

(Job Information Return Processing)

FIG. 14 shows an example of the flowchart showing the job informationreturn processing in the proxy APP 143. This processing corresponds tostep S3620 in FIG. 6B, step S3719 in FIG. 7B, step S3919 in FIG. 9B, andstep S4016 in FIG. 10B. FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B will be described inthe third embodiment.

In FIG. 14 , when job information return processing is requested from adevice (MFP 3 in this case), the proxy APP 143 starts the jobinformation return processing (step S4401). The proxy APP 143 specifiesa job queue of a target device using a device ID included in jobinformation (step S4402). Then, the proxy APP 143 confirms thepresence/absence of a job in a top priority job queue in the specifiedjob queue (step S4403). As an example of the job queue, FIG. 18A, 18C,or 18D is used. If the proxy APP 143 determines that a job is present inthe top priority job queue (YES in step S4404), the process advances tostep S4412; otherwise (NO in step S4404), the process advances to stepS4405.

In step S4412, the proxy APP 143 obtains job information registered atthe head position in the top priority job queue, and the processadvances to step S4413. In step S4405, the proxy APP 143 confirms thepresence/absence of a job in a general scan queue. If the proxy APP 143determines that a job is present in the general scan queue (YES in stepS4406), the process advances to step S4407; otherwise (NO in stepS4406), the process jumps to step S4408. In step S4407, the proxy APP143 obtains job information registered at the head position in thegeneral scan queue, and the process advances to step S4413. In stepS4408, the proxy APP 143 confirms the presence/absence of a job in ageneral print queue. If the proxy APP 143 determines that a job ispresent in the general print queue (YES in step S4409), the processadvances to step S4410; otherwise (NO in step S4409), the processadvances to step S4411.

In step S4410, the proxy APP 143 obtains job information registered atthe head position in the general print queue, and the process advancesto step S4413. In step S4411, since there is no job in the job queue ofthe target device, the proxy APP 143 returns a message indicating theabsence of job information to the device as the request source. Then,the process returns to the processing sequence as a call source of thisprocessing (step S4414). In step S4413, the proxy APP 143 returns thejob information obtained in step S4412, S4407, or S4410 to that device.Then, the process returns to the processing sequence as a call source ofthis processing (step S4414).

(Job Notification Reception Processing)

FIGS. 16A and 16B show examples of the flowcharts showing the jobnotification reception processing in the MFP 3. This processing isexecuted in correspondence with the mode set in step S3607 in FIG. 6A.The first embodiment will explain the processing shown in FIG. 16A. Notethat “job notification presence information” used in this processing isinformation indicating a state in which the MFP 3 receives a jobnotification and has not executed processing for a job associated withthat job notification yet. The job notification presence information issaved in the RAM 17 in the MFP 3, and the MFP 3 initializes thisinformation by setting “0” in the information when it is turned on.

Upon reception of a job notification issued from the proxy APP 143, theMFP 3 starts the job notification reception processing (step S4601) inFIG. 16A. The MFP 3 confirms whether or not an application is inexecution on the Web browser 27 (step S4602). If the MFP 3 determinesthat the application is in execution on the Web browser 27 (YES in stepS4603), the process advances to step S4604; otherwise (NO in stepS4603), the process advances to step S4605. Note that when the MFP 3launches the Web browser 27 but no application is executed, it isdetermined in step S4603 that the Web browser is running, and that theapplication is in execution on the Web browser 27.

In step S4604, the MFP 3 increments the job notification presenceinformation by “1”, and saves it in the RAM 17. Then, the MFP 3 endsthis processing sequence (step S4608). In step S4605, the MFP 3 issues ajob obtaining request to the proxy APP 143. At this time, the proxy APP143 executes the job information return processing (FIG. 14 ) inresponse to the job obtaining request from the MFP 3, and returns theresult of the processing to the MFP 3. In step S4606, the MFP 3 receivesthe following print job information or reading job information from theproxy APP 143, and the process advances to step S4607.

[Example of Print Job Information]

jobId: prn0001

dateTime: 20120814121812100

host: phone

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/ticket/prn001/ticket.xml

dataUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/data/prn001/data.jpg

status: queued

[Example of Reading Job Information]

jobId: scn0304

dateTime: 20120814122045250

host: phone

owner: akb88

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/ticket/scn0304/ticket.xml

uploadUri: https://storageservice.xxx/user/akb88/private/

temporaryUploadUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/data/scn0304/

status: queued

In step S4607, the MFP 3 executes print processing or reading processingin step S3717 in FIG. 7B or step S4017 in FIG. 10B in accordance withthe job information obtained in step S4606. Then, the MFP 3 ends thisprocessing sequence (step S4608). Every time the print processing orreading processing is complete, the MFP 3 decrements the value of thejob notification presence information, and saves it in the RAM 17. Notethat the MFP 3 sets the job notification presence information in aninteger range not less than 0.

(Job Confirmation Processing)

FIG. 17 shows an example of the flowchart showing the job confirmationprocessing in the MFP 3. In FIG. 17 , when job confirmation processingis requested, the MFP 3 starts the job confirmation processing (stepS4701). The MFP 3 issues a job obtaining request to the proxy APP 143(step S4702). Then, the MFP 3 obtains job information transmitted inresponse to the job obtaining request (step S4703). If the jobinformation can be obtained (YES in step S4704), the process advances tostep S4705; otherwise (NO in step S4704), this processing sequence ends(step S4706). Note that the job information can be obtained, forexample, when the proxy APP 143 returns the job information to the MFP 3in step S4413 in FIG. 14 . On the other hand, the job information cannotbe obtained, for example, when the proxy APP 143 returns a messageindicating the absence of job information to the MFP 3 in step S4411 inFIG. 14 . The job information obtained by the MFP 3 in step S4703 isprint job information or reading job information like the followingexamples.

[Example of Print Job Information]

jobId: prn0004

dateTime: 20120814122435001

host: mfp

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/ticket/prn0004/ticket.xml

dataUri: https://ske88funclub.com/print/data/prn0004/data.jpg

status: queued

[Example of Reading Job Information]

jobId: scn0306

dateTime: 20120814122423008

host: mfp

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/ticket/scn0306/ticket.xml

uploadUri: https://storageservice.xxx/user/chancy/private/

temporaryUploadUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/data/scn0306/

status: queued

In step S4705, the MFP 3 executes print processing or reading processingin step S3621 in FIG. 6B or step S3920 in FIG. 9B according to the jobinformation obtained in step S4703. Then, the MFP 3 ends this processingsequence (step S4706). The MFP 3 executes the job confirmationprocessing (FIG. 17 ) in, for example, the following cases.

(1) When the control transitions to a state of step S3626 in FIG. 6B(input operation waiting state)

(2) When the control transitions to a state of step S3718 in FIG. 7B(standby state)

(3) When the control transitions to a state of step S3826 in FIG. 8B(input operation waiting state)

(4) When the control transitions to a state of step S3926 in FIG. 9B(input operation waiting state)

(5) When the control transitions to a state of step S4021 in FIG. 10B(standby state)

(6) When the MFP is turned on

(7) When the MFP returns to the standby state after a copy, print,reading operation or the like

(8) When the ink head or ink cartridge is exchanged

(9) When the MFP quits the Web browser, and displays a home window ofthe MFP on the display unit

(10) When the MFP restores from a warning state

(11) When the MFP restores from an error state.

Note that states in FIGS. 8A to 10B will be described in the second andthird embodiments.

In all the cases except for (6), when the job notification presenceinformation is larger than “0”, the MFP 3 repetitively executes the jobconfirmation processing (FIG. 17 ). For example, when the user selects aplurality of documents in step S3610 in FIG. 6A and prints thesedocuments at the same time, the document creation APP 145 may issue andprocess a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the respectivedocuments to the cloud print APP 146 in one method. When a plurality ofprint jobs are simultaneously issued by such method, and when the jobnotification presence information is larger than “0”, the MFP 3repetitively executes the job confirmation processing (FIG. 17 ). Thus,the plurality of print jobs issued simultaneously can be sequentiallyprocessed in a series of processes. Hence, the plurality of print jobsissued via the MFP can be preferentially processed and printed withoutbeing interrupted by a job issued from another apparatus.

(Configuration Example of Job Queue)

FIGS. 18A to 18D show configuration examples of job queues in the proxyAPP 143. A job queue is configured by a general database. In FIGS. 18Ato 18D, a job ID with “prn” is that of a print job, a job ID with “scn”is that of a reading job, and the proxy APP 143 generates these job IDs.As for “issued year/month/day/time” will be explained in associationwith an example of a job ID “prn0004” shown in FIG. 18A. The “issuedyear/month/day/time” of this job ID indicates that this print job wasissued at 12:24:35 1/1000, Aug. 14, 2012. For example, the “issuedyear/month/day/time” will be described in association with an example ofa job ID “scn0304” shown in FIG. 18A. The “issued year/month/day/time”indicates that this reading job was issued at 12:20:45 250/1000, Aug.14, 2012.

The job queue in FIG. 18A is configured by three types of queues, thatis, a top priority job queue, general scan queue, and general printqueue, and the first, second, and third priorities are set in turn forthe top priority job queue, general scan queue, and general print queue.In this embodiment, assume that either a reading job or print job can beregistered in the top priority job queue. Note that the top priority jobqueue will also be described as a first job queue, and the general scanqueue and general print queue will also be described as second jobqueues for the sake of convenience. The top priority job queue has asize for one job, and the sizes of the general scan queue and generalprint queue have no limit. The job queue in FIG. 18B is configured byonly one job queue, and the first priority and a size without any limitare set. The job queue in FIG. 18C is the same as that in FIG. 18A, andin this example, states of registered jobs are different. The job queuein FIG. 18D is configured by a top priority job queue, general scanqueue, and general print queue, and the first, second, and thirdpriorities are respectively set in turn for the top priority job queue,general scan queue, and general print queue. Also, sizes of the toppriority job queue, general scan queue, and general print queue have nolimit. The reason why the first, second, and third priorities are set inturn for the top priority job queue, general scan queue, and generalprint queue in FIGS. 18A, 18C, and 18D is to consider the user'soperability.

In this case, a job issued from the application when the user operatesthe Web browser (Web browser 27) of the device (MFP 3) to input a printor reading processing instruction is determined as a top priority job togive the top priority to the operability of the user who operates theMFP 3. Next, in order to prevent an operation for setting an original onthe MFP and executing reading processing by operating a start button onan operation panel (operation unit 20) of the MFP by the user from beinginterrupted by another job, the second priority is given to the generalscan queue. Thus, a reading job issued from the application when theuser operates the mobile terminal 14 or the like can be preferentiallyprocessed, thus improving the user's operability.

Then, the third priority (lowest priority) is given to the general printqueue of these queues. Normally, print processing of a print job issuedfrom the application when the user operates the mobile terminal 14 orthe like is automatically executed by the MFP 3 without requiring anyuser operation. For example, a job registered in the top priority jobqueue or general scan queue requires a user's MFP operation. Bycontrast, a job registered in the general print queue normally does notrequire any user's MFP operation (except for an out-of-paper orout-of-ink state). For this reason, even when the third priority isgiven to the general print queue, the user's operability is rarelyimpaired. Note that the aforementioned priority order is an example, andthe priorities of the general scan queue and general print queue may beset to be reversed in correspondence with the intended use of the user.

(Table Configuration of Job Information)

FIGS. 19A and 19B show configuration examples of tables required tostore job information of a job registered in the job queue in the proxyAPP 143. FIG. 19A shows a table for a print job, and FIG. 19B shows atable for a reading job. These tables are stored in a general database.Common information stored in the tables shown in FIGS. 19A and 19Bincludes an issued year/month/day/time, host, owner name, device ID, jobticket path (URI), status, presence/absence of job notificationnecessity, and job priority order. However, even for information of thesame item, different values may be set in statuses of a print job andreading job. Information stored in only the table shown in FIG. 19Aincludes a print image data path (URI). Information stored in only thetable shown in FIG. 19B includes an upload destination path (URI) andtemporary upload destination path (URI).

(Display Window Example Related to Reading Processing)

FIGS. 20A and 20B show examples of a home window 742 and uploaddestination selection window 750. FIG. 20A shows an example of the homewindow 742. In FIG. 20A, the home window 742 is controlled by thereading APP 147 as a reading setting window for the MFP 3 or 103 withrespect to the user. The reading APP 147 transmits information of thehome window 742 to the mobile terminal 14, PC 1, or MFP 3 or 103. Themobile terminal 14, PC 1, or MFP 3 or 103 receives the transmittedinformation of the window, and displays the window by the Web browser 9,25, 27, or 28. In this manner, the home window 742 is displayed on theWeb browser 9, 25, 27, or 28.

Device choices 735, 736, and 737 are those of selectable devices. Thedevice choices 735, 736, and 737 respectively represent thosecorresponding to an MFP with a model name AkbNmb available from CompanyGHI, an MFP with a model name Kmmn available from Company ABC(corresponding to the MFP 3 of this embodiment), and an MFP with a modelname Xyz available from Company DEF. FIG. 20A illustrates a state inwhich the device choice 736 which represents the MFP 3 is selected. Forexample, when the home window 742 is displayed on the Web browser 27 ofthe MFP 3, the reading APP 147 transmits information required to displaythe device choice 736 alone to the MFP 3, so as not to allow the user toselect other devices. On the other hand, when the home window 742 isdisplayed on the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 or the Webbrowser 25 in the PC 1, the reading APP 147 transmits informationrequired to display the device choices 735, 736, and 737 to the mobileterminal 14 or PC 1. Then, the mobile terminal 14 or PC 1 displays thewindow on the Web browser 9 or 25 based on the received information.Thus, when the user operates the Web browser 9 or 25 of the mobileterminal 14 or PC 1, the reading APP 147 controls to allow that user toselect all devices.

Using an original type selection part 730, a type of an original to beread by the MFP 3 is selected from the following options according to auser operation. FIG. 20A illustrates a state in which “color document”is selected. Note that original type options include “color photo”,“monochrome photo”, “color document”, “monochrome document”, and thelike. Using an original size selection part 731, a size of an originalto be read by the MFP 3 is selected from the following options accordingto a user operation. FIG. 20A illustrates a state in which “A4” isselected. Note that original size options include “A5”, “A4”, “B5”,“Letter”, and the like. Using a resolution selection part 732, aresolution to be read by the MFP 3 is selected from the followingoptions according to a user operation. FIG. 20A illustrates a state inwhich “300 dpi” is selected. Note that resolution options include “150dpi”, “300 dpi”, “600 dpi”, and the like. The number of selectable itemsof the aforementioned options may be increased/decreased according tofunctions of the respective devices.

An upload destination display part 733 displays an upload destination ofan image read by the MFP 3. An upload destination setting button 739accepts a display instruction of the upload destination selection window750 shown in FIG. 20B. Upon pressing of the upload destination settingbutton 739 by a user operation, the reading APP 147 displays the uploaddestination selection window 750. A reading button 734 accepts a readingstart instruction. Upon pressing of the reading button 734 by a useroperation, the reading APP 147 generates a reading job for the MFP 3associated with the device choice 736, and issues that reading job tothe cloud scan APP 148. A close button 738 accepts a close instructionof the home window 742. Upon pressing of the close button 738 by a useroperation, the reading APP 147 closes the home window 742.

FIG. 20B shows an example of the upload destination selection window750. In FIG. 20B, the upload destination selection window 750 isprovided by the reading APP 147 as an upload destination selectionwindow of an image read by the MFP 3 or 103 with respect to the user.The reading APP 147 transmits information of the upload destinationselection window 750 to the mobile terminal 14, PC 1, or MFP 3 or 103.Then, the mobile terminal 14, PC 1, or MFP 3 or 103 receives thatinformation, and displays the upload destination selection window 750 onthe Web browser 9, 25, 27, or 28. In this manner, the upload destinationselection window 750 is displayed on the Web browser using the Webbrowser 9, 25, 27, or 28.

Using a folder designation part 752, the user can designate a folder ofan upload destination of an image read by the MFP 3 or 103 fromtree-displayed folders. FIG. 20B illustrates a state in which“ABC/Public Folder” is selected. A folder display part 753 displays afull path of a folder designated by the user. Upon pressing of aselection button 754 by a user operation, the reading APP 147 settlesthe folder displayed in the folder display part 753 as an uploaddestination of an image read by the MFP 3 or 103, and closes the uploaddestination selection window 750. A close button 755 accepts a closeinstruction of the upload destination selection window 750. Uponpressing of the close button 755 by a user operation, the reading APP147 closes the upload destination selection window 750.

(Deletion Processing)

FIGS. 21A and 21B show examples of the flowcharts showing the deletionprocessing of a print job in the proxy APP 143 and that of a reading jobin the cloud scan APP 148. FIG. 21A shows an example of the flowchartshowing the deletion processing of a print job in the proxy APP 143.This processing corresponds to step S3622 in FIG. 6B, step S3719 in FIG.7B, and step S3822 in FIG. 8B. FIG. 21B shows an example of theflowchart showing the deletion processing of a reading job in the cloudscan APP 148. This processing corresponds to step S3922 in FIG. 9B andstep S4019 in FIG. 10B.

In FIG. 21A, when print job deletion processing is requested, the proxyAPP 143 starts the print job deletion processing (step S5101). The proxyAPP 143 issues a deletion request of a print image file to the imageconversion APP 144 (step S5102). The image conversion APP 144 deletesthe print image file stored at the path (URI) designated by “dataUri”according to the print image file deletion request (step S5103). Next,the proxy APP 143 issues a deletion request of a print target image tothe document creation APP 145 (step S5104). The document creation APP145 deletes the print target image, that is, a print target content or aPDF file generated for printing, which is temporarily saved in the HDD202, according to the print target image deletion request (step S5105).

The proxy APP 143 issues a deletion request of a job ticket to thedocument creation APP 145 (step S5106). The document creation APP 145deletes the job ticket (print setting file) according to the job ticketdeletion request (step S5107). Then, the proxy APP 143 deletes jobinformation, and deletes that job from the job queue (FIGS. 18A to 18D)(step S5108). Then, this processing sequence ends, and the controlreturns to the processing sequence as a call source of this processing(step S5109).

In FIG. 21B, when reading job deletion processing is requested, thecloud scan APP 148 starts the reading job deletion processing (stepS5151). The cloud scan APP 148 issues a deletion request of a temporaryreading image file to the reading APP 147 (step S5152). The reading APP147 deletes the temporary reading image file temporarily stored at thepath (URI) designated by “temporaryUploadUri” according to the temporaryreading image file deletion request (step S5153). Next, the cloud scanAPP 148 issues a deletion request of a job ticket to the reading APP 147(step S5154). The reading APP 147 deletes a reading setting file (jobticket) according to the job ticket deletion request (step S5155).

The cloud scan APP 148 issues a deletion request of job information tothe proxy APP 143 (step S5156). The proxy APP 143 deletes the jobinformation according to the job information deletion request, anddeletes that job from the job queue (FIGS. 18A to 18D) (step S5157).Then, this processing sequence ends, and the control returns to theprocessing sequence as a call source of this processing (step S5158).

(Exclusive Control Cancel Processing)

FIGS. 23A and 23B show examples of the flowcharts of the exclusivecontrol cancel processing in the MFP 3. The first embodiment willexplain the processing shown in FIG. 23A. This processing corresponds tostep S3626 in FIG. 6B, step S3826 in FIG. 8B, and step S3926 in FIG. 9B.

In FIG. 23A, for example, when the user presses a home button (notshown) of the operation unit 20 of the MFP 3, after the MFP 3 quits theWeb browser 27, and displays a home window of the MFP 3 on the displayunit 21, it starts this processing sequence (step S5301). The MFP 3transitions from the mode for permitting only acceptance of a jobnotification set in step S3607 in FIG. 6A to a normal job notificationreception mode (step S5302). Then, the MFP 3 cancels the exclusivecontrol of an externally input job (step S5303). After that, thisprocessing sequence ends (step S5304).

Note that the MFP 3 may execute the exclusive control cancel processingdue to a time-out. For example, the document creation APP 145 monitorsHTTP request intervals from the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3. Then, whenan HTTP request from the Web browser 27 is not received for a certaintime period (for example, 5 min), the document creation APP 145 notifiesthe MFP 3 of a time-out via the JavaScript® embedded in Web pageinformation. More specifically, the Web browser 27 executes a Timeoutfunction, which is exported by the MFP 3 to the Web browser 27, via theJavaScript®. When the Timeout function is called, the MFP 3 executes theexclusive control cancel processing shown in FIG. 23A.

With the aforementioned processing, in the control system including thelower-function MFP, the user's operability can be improved, andreductions of the load on the server, the data traffic of thecommunication channel, and the data communication cost can be attained.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment according to the present invention will bedescribed below.

[Processing Sequence]

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an example of the flowchart showing processingexecuted when a document creation APP 145 is executed from a Web browser27 of an MFP 3 to execute a print operation. This processing sequencecorresponds to FIGS. 6A and 6B in the first embodiment. Note that adescription about the contents which have already been explained inFIGS. 6A and 6B will not be repeated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Morespecifically, in FIGS. 8A and 8B, processes other than job registrationprocessing (step S3815), step S3819, and job information returnprocessing (step S3820) are the same as those in FIG. 6B, and adescription thereof will not be repeated. Also, in this embodiment, ajob queue has a configuration including one type of queue shown in FIG.18B.

In step S3813 in FIG. 8B, upon acceptance of a print request from theMFP 3, the document creation APP 145 issues a print job to a cloud printAPP 146. At this time, based on the print request from the MFP 3, theprint job includes information indicating that a host which issued thisprint request of the print job is the MFP (host=mfp), and informationindicating that this print job does not require any job notification tothe MFP 3 (notification=no). The cloud print APP 146 inputs the printjob to a print queue of the proxy APP 143 (step S3814). At this time,the cloud print APP 146 further adds an issued year/month/day/time ofthe print job to the print job. The proxy APP 143 executes jobregistration processing shown in FIG. 15A, and returns a job ID (printjob ID) to the cloud print APP 146 (step S3815). Then, the proxy APP 143waits for a print job obtaining request from the MFP 3 (step S3816).

In step S3817, upon reception of information indicating that the printjob has already been issued from the document creation APP 145, the MFP3 displays a message indicating that execution of print-relatedprocessing is in progress like “in print preparation” or “print inprogress” on a display unit 21. Then, the MFP 3 notifies the user oftransition to the print mode (print processing in progress). At thistime, the MFP 3 displays this message without using the Web browser 27so as to reduce the load. Also, the MFP 3 obtains the job ID (print jobID) issued by the proxy APP 143 in step S3815 (FIG. 15A). The MFP 3waits for an elapse of an assumed time period (for example, about 3 sec)required for an image conversion APP 144 to complete image conversion(step S4306 in FIG. 13 ) (step S3818). After that, the MFP 3 issues ajob (print job) obtaining request to the proxy APP 143 by designatingthe job using the job ID (print job ID) (step S3819). The proxy APP 143executes job information return processing shown in FIG. 15B, andreturns print job information to the MFP 3 as a result of the processing(step S3820). The subsequent processes are the same as those in thefirst embodiment.

(Job Registration Processing and Job Information Return Processing)

FIGS. 15A and 15B show examples of the flowcharts showing jobregistration processing and job information return processing in theproxy APP 143.

FIG. 15A shows an example of the flowchart showing the job registrationprocessing in the proxy APP 143. When job registration processing isrequested in step S3815 in FIG. 8B, in FIG. 15A, the proxy APP 143starts the job registration processing (step S4501). The proxy APP 143registers a job in the job queue (FIG. 18B), and saves respective piecesof information in a table which is required to store job information andis shown in FIG. 19A or 19B (step S4502). Then, the proxy APP 143generates a job ID (step S4503). After that, the proxy APP 143 returnsthe job ID (print job ID or reading job ID) to a call source of thisprocessing, thus ending this processing sequence (step S4504).

FIG. 15B shows an example of the flowchart showing job informationreturn processing in the proxy APP 143. When job information returnprocessing is requested from the MFP 3 in step S3820 in FIG. 8B, in FIG.15B, the proxy APP 143 starts the job information return processing(step S4510). The proxy APP 143 specifies a job queue of a target deviceusing a device ID included in job information (step S4511). Then, theproxy APP 143 confirms the presence/absence of a job which matches thejob ID designated from the MFP 3 in step S3819 in FIG. 8B, in thespecified job queue (step S4512). In this case, as an example of the jobqueue, FIG. 18B is used. If the proxy APP 143 determines that the job ispresent in the job queue (YES in step S4513), the process advances tostep S4514; otherwise (NO in step S4513), the process advances to stepS4516.

In step S4514, the proxy APP 143 obtains job information which isregistered in the job queue and corresponds to the designated job ID. Instep S4515, the proxy APP 143 returns the job information obtained instep S4514 to the device. Then, this processing sequence ends (stepS4517). In step S4516, since a job corresponding to the job ID is notpresent in the job queue of the target device, the proxy APP 143 returnsa message indicating that job information is absent to the requestsource device (MFP 3 in this case). Then, this processing sequence ends(step S4517).

Note that FIGS. 7A and 7B of the aforementioned first embodiment and thesecond embodiment may be combined. More specifically, in step S3715 inFIG. 7B, the MFP 3 may designate a job using a job ID (print job ID) andmay issue a job (print job) obtaining request to the proxy APP 143.Also, FIGS. 9A and 9B of the third embodiment to be described later andthe second embodiment may be combined. More specifically, in step S3918in FIG. 9B, the MFP 3 may designate a job using a job ID (reading jobID), and may issue a job (reading job) obtaining request to the proxyAPP 143. Likewise, FIGS. 10A and 10B of the third embodiment to bedescribed later and the second embodiment may be combined. Morespecifically, in step S4015 in FIG. 10B, the MFP 3 may designate a jobusing a job ID (reading job ID), and may issue a job (reading job)obtaining request to the proxy APP 143.

Note that a control system in which when the proxy APP 143 includes onlyone job queue, as shown in FIG. 18B, the MFP 3 cannot issue a jobobtaining request to the proxy APP 143 by designating a job using a jobID (print job ID) will be assumed. In this case, in step S3812 in FIG.8B, when the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 issues a print request to thedocument creation APP 145, a priority order attribute may be added to ajob. At this time, the Web browser 27 adds attribute information of a“top” priority to this job. In step S3813, the document creation APP 145transmits the attribute information of the priority of the job to thecloud print APP 146. In step S3814, the cloud print APP 146 transmitsthe attribute information of the priority of the job to the proxy APP143. In step S3815, upon execution of the job registration processingshown in FIG. 15A, the proxy APP 143 confirms the priority of the job instep S4502, and registers jobs in the job queue in turn from a higherpriority.

Thus, even when the MFP cannot issue a job obtaining request to theproxy APP by designating a job using a job ID, a print request issuedfrom the Web browser of the MFP to the document creation APP can beprocessed as a top priority print job. As a result, the MFP 3 can printthat job without being interrupted by an external job, and a systemexcellent in the user's operability can be provided.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.The first embodiment has exemplified a print job, and this embodimentwill exemplify a reading job. Note that a description about partsredundant to the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[Processing Sequence]

(Processing when MFP Issues Reading Instruction)

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example of the flowchart showing processingexecuted when a reading APP 147 is executed from a Web browser 27 of anMFP 3 to read (scan) an original set on the MFP 3. In FIGS. 9A and 9B,when the user launches the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 and executes thereading APP 147, this processing sequence is started (step S3901). TheMFP 3 issues a job obtaining request to a proxy APP 143 (step S3902).The proxy APP 143 executes job information return processing shown inFIG. 14 according to the job obtaining request, and returns thatprocessing result to the MFP 3 (step S3903). In step S3904, when the MFP3 receives print job information or reading job information as in stepS3604 of the first embodiment, it executes print processing or readingprocessing shown in step S3621 or step S3920.

After completion of the print processing or reading processing, the MFP3 notifies the proxy APP 143 of that information (step S3904). In stepS3905, the proxy APP 143 executes job deletion processing shown in FIGS.21A and 21B, thus ending a series of processes related to that job (stepS3906).

As described in the first embodiment, the present invention has apurpose of executing a job issued when the user operates the Web browser27 of the MFP 3 to have the top priority. For this purpose, when the MFP3 issues a job obtaining request to the proxy APP 143 in step S3902, itdesignates an option to obtain only a job in a top priority job queue inthe job queue shown in FIG. 18A. Then, only when a job is registered inthe top priority job queue, the proxy APP 143 returns job information tothe MFP 3. Thus, a job issued from an application launched by the userfrom the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 is executed to have the toppriority, and the user can most preferentially operate respectiveapplications such as the reading APP 147 by operating the Web browser27.

In step S3907, the MFP 3 transitions to a mode for excluding anexternally input job, and permitting only acceptance of a jobnotification, and the process advances to step S3908. FIGS. 16A and 16Bshow job notification reception processing executed by the MFP 3 in thismode. In step S3908, the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 requests thereading APP 147 to transmit a home window 742 shown in FIG. 20A. Thereading APP 147 transmits information of the home window 742 to the MFP3 in response to the request (step S3909). Then, the MFP 3 displays thereceived home window 742 on the Web browser 27 (step S3908). When theuser operates the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3 to press an uploaddestination setting button 739 and inputs an upload destinationselection instruction of a reading image file, the Web browser 27requests the reading APP 147 to transmit an upload destination selectionwindow 750 shown in FIG. 20B (step S3910). The reading APP 147 transmitsinformation of the upload destination selection window 750 to the MFP 3in response to the request (step S3911). Then, the MFP 3 displays theupload destination selection window 750 on the Web browser 27 (stepS3910).

When the user designates an upload destination of a reading image file,and presses a selection button 754, the Web browser 27 displays the homewindow 742. At this time, the home window 742 is updated while theupload destination of the reading image file selected by the user isreflected to an upload destination display part 733 in the home window742. When the user presses a reading button 734, the Web browser 27issues a reading request to the reading APP 147 (step S3912). At thistime, this reading request includes information indicating that a hostwhich issued this reading request is the MFP (host=mfp), and informationindicating that this reading request does not require any jobnotification to the MFP 3 (notification=no).

Upon acceptance of the reading request, the reading APP 147 issues areading job to the cloud scan APP 148 (step S3913). At this time, thereading job includes information indicating that a host which issued thereading request of the reading job is the MFP (host=mfp), andinformation indicating that this reading request does not require anyjob notification to the MFP 3 (notification=no) according to the readingrequest received from the MFP 3. The cloud scan APP 148 inputs thereading job to a scan queue of the proxy APP 143 (step S3914). At thistime, the cloud scan APP 148 further adds issued year/month/day/timeinformation of the reading job to the reading job. The proxy APP 143executes job registration processing shown in FIG. 11 , and returns ajob ID (reading job ID) to the cloud scan APP 148 (step S3915). Then,the proxy APP 143 enters a waiting state of a reading job obtainingrequest from the MFP 3 (step S3916).

The cloud scan APP 148 returns the job ID (reading job ID) returned fromthe proxy APP 143 to the reading APP 147. Furthermore, in response toacceptance of the job ID from the cloud scan APP 148, the reading APP147 notifies the MFP 3 of information indicating that the reading job isissued. At this time, the reading APP 147 notifies the MFP 3 of theinformation to be notified including the job ID (reading job ID)returned from the cloud scan APP 148. This notification can be attainedby utilizing, for example, the JavaScript® embedded in Web pageinformation. At the issuance timing of the reading job, the Web browser27 executes a Scan function, which is exported by the MFP 3 to the Webbrowser 27, via the JavaScript®.

When the Scan function is called, the MFP 3 receives informationrepresenting that the reading job is registered in the scan queue. Atthis time, the job ID (reading job ID) included in the receivedinformation is passed to the MFP 3 as an argument of the Scan function,and the MFP 3 also obtains the job ID (reading job ID) generated by theproxy APP 143 (step S3917). In this manner, since the MFP 3 includes theScan function, and the Web browser 27 utilizes the Scan function via theJavaScript®, an unnecessary job notification can be omitted. As aresult, reductions of the load on the server, the data traffic of thecommunication channel, and the data communication cost can be attained.

The MFP 3 issues a job (reading job) obtaining request to the proxy APP143 (step S3918). The proxy APP 143 executes job information returnprocessing (FIG. 14 ), and returns the following reading job informationto the MFP 3 as a result of that processing (step S3919).

[Example of Reading Job Information]

jobId: scn0306

dateTime: 20120814122423008

host: mfp

owner: chancy

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/ticket/scn0306/ticket.xml

uploadUri: https://storageservice.xxx/user/chancy/private/

temporaryUploadUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/data/scn0306/

status: queued

The MFP 3 obtains a storage destination of a reading setting fileindicating reading settings and a temporary upload destination of areading image file from the returned reading job information. Acombination of the reading setting file and reading image file will bereferred to as “reading data” hereinafter. Also, the reading settingfile will also be referred to as a (reading) job ticket. The readingsetting file is stored at a path (URI) designated by “ticketUri”, andthe reading image file will be temporarily stored at a path (URI)designated by “temporaryUploadUri” by processing of step S3920 (to bedescribed later). The reading setting file is stored in an HDD 202 in aPC 7. A temporary upload destination of a reading image file is preparedin a storage which can be utilized by the cloud scan APP 148. In thisembodiment, a reading image file is stored in the HDD 202 in the PC 7.The MFP 3 displays a message representing a reading operation methodlike “set original, and then press start button” on the display unit 21,thus notifying the user of the reading operation method. At this time,the MFP 3 displays this message without using the Web browser 27.

When the user sets an original and presses a start button included in anoperation unit 20, the MFP 3 obtains a reading setting file by accessingthe path (URI) designated by “ticketUri”. The MFP 3 executes readingprocessing according to the contents of the reading setting file. Then,the MFP 3 uploads a reading image file generated by the readingprocessing to the path (URI) designated by “temporaryUploadUri”, andthen notifies the proxy APP 143 of completion of the reading processing(step S3920). In step S3921, the cloud scan APP 148 uploads the readingimage file temporarily stored at the path (URI) designated by“temporaryUploadUri” to a path (URI) designated by “uploadUri”. In stepS3922, the cloud scan APP 148 executes job deletion processing (FIG.21B), thus ending a series of processes related to that job (stepS3923).

After completion of the reading processing in step S3920, the Webbrowser 27 of the MFP 3 requests the reading APP 147 to transmit thehome window 742 (step S3924). The reading APP 147 transmits informationof the home window 742 to the MFP 3 in response to the request (stepS3925). The MFP 3 displays the received home window 742 on the Webbrowser 27 (step S3924). Then, the MFP 3 waits for a user inputoperation (step S3926).

(Processing when Mobile Terminal Issues Reading Instruction)

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example of the flowchart showing processingexecuted when the reading APP 147 is executed from a Web browser 9 of amobile terminal 14 to execute a reading operation. When the userlaunches the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 and executes thereading APP 147, the processing shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is started(step S4001). The Web browser 9 requests the reading APP 147 to transmitthe home window 742 shown in FIG. 20A (step S4002). The reading APP 147transmits information of the home window 742 to the mobile terminal 14in response to the request (step S4003). Then, the mobile terminal 14displays the home window 742 on the Web browser 9 (step S4002). When theuser operates the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 and pressesthe upload destination setting button 739, the Web browser 9 requeststhe reading APP 147 to transmit the upload destination selection window750 shown in FIG. 20B (step S4004). The reading APP 147 transmitsinformation of the upload destination selection window 750 to the mobileterminal 14 in response to the request (step S4005). Then, the Webbrowser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 displays the received uploaddestination selection window 750 (step S4004).

When the user designates an upload destination of a reading image file,and presses a selection button 754, the Web browser 9 of the mobileterminal 14 displays the home window 742. At this time, the home window742 is updated while the upload destination of the reading image fileselected by the user is reflected to the upload destination display part733. When the user presses the reading button 734, the Web browser 9issues a reading request to the reading APP 147 (step S4006). At thistime, this reading request includes information indicating that a hostwhich issued this reading request is the mobile terminal (host=phone),and information indicating that this reading request requires a jobnotification to the MFP 3 (notification=yes).

Upon acceptance of the reading request, the reading APP 147 issues areading job to the cloud scan APP 148 (step S4007). At this time, thereading job includes information indicating that a host which issued thereading request of the reading job is the mobile terminal (host=phone),and information indicating that this reading job requires a jobnotification to the MFP 3 (notification=yes). The cloud scan APP 148inputs the reading job to the scan queue of the proxy APP 143 (stepS4008). At this time, the cloud scan APP 148 further adds issuedyear/month/day/time information of the reading job to the reading job.The proxy APP 143 executes job registration processing (FIG. 11 ), andreturns a job ID (reading job ID) to the cloud scan APP 148 (stepS4009). Then, the proxy APP 143 enters a waiting state of a jobobtaining request from the mobile terminal 14 (step S4010).

In step S4008, the cloud scan APP 148 returns the job ID (reading jobID) returned from the proxy APP 143 to the reading APP 147. Uponreception of the response to the reading request issued to the readingAPP 147, the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 requests thereading APP 147 to transmit a reading execution confirmation window(step S4011). The reading APP 147 transmits information of the readingexecution confirmation window to the mobile terminal 14 in response tothe request (step S4012). Then, the mobile terminal 14 displays thereceived reading execution confirmation window on the Web browser 9, anddisplays a message “execute reading by MFP” on the Web browser 9 (stepS4011). Then, the mobile terminal 14 transitions to an upload completionwaiting state (step S4013).

When the proxy APP 143 transmits a job (reading job) notification to theMFP 3 in step S4309 in FIG. 13 , the MFP 3 receives this job (readingjob) notification (step S4014), and issues a job (reading job) obtainingrequest to the proxy APP 143 (step S4015). The proxy APP 143 executesjob information return processing (FIG. 14 ), and returns the followingreading job information to the MFP 3 as a result of that processing(step S4016).

[Example of Reading Job Information]

jobId: scn0304

dateTime: 20120814122045250

host: phone

owner: akb88

deviceId: 77778888

ticketUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/ticket/scn0304/ticket.xml

uploadUri: https://storageservice.xxx/user/akb88/private/

temporaryUploadUri: https://ske88funclub.com/scan/data/scn0304/

status: queued

The MFP 3 obtains a storage destination of a reading setting fileindicating reading settings and a temporary upload destination of areading image file from the returned reading job information. Thereading setting file is stored at a path (URI) designated by“ticketUri”, and the reading image file will be temporarily stored at apath (URI) designated by “temporaryUploadUri” by processing of stepS4017 (to be described later). A temporary upload destination of areading image file is prepared in a storage which can be utilized by thecloud scan APP 148. In this embodiment, a reading image file is storedin the HDD 202 in the PC 7. The MFP 3 displays a message representing areading operation method like “set original, and then press startbutton” on the display unit 21, thus notifying the user of the readingoperation method. At this time, the MFP 3 displays this message withoutusing the Web browser 27.

When the user sets an original and presses a start button included inthe operation unit 20, the MFP 3 obtains a reading setting file byaccessing the path (URI) designated by “ticketUri”. The MFP 3 executesreading processing according to the contents of the reading settingfile. Then, the MFP 3 uploads a reading image file generated by thereading processing to the path (URI) designated by “temporaryUploadUri”,and then notifies the proxy APP 143 of completion of the readingprocessing (step S4017). Then, the MFP 3 transitions to an onlinestandby state (step S4021). In step S4018, the cloud scan APP 148uploads the reading image file temporarily stored at the path (URI)designated by “temporaryUploadUri” to a path (URI) designated by“uploadUri”. In step S4019, the cloud scan APP 148 executes job deletionprocessing (FIG. 21B), thus ending a series of processes related to thatjob (step S4020).

Upon completion of the upload processing by the cloud scan APP 148 instep S4018, the Web browser 9 of the mobile terminal 14 is notified ofthat information via the reading APP 147 (FIGS. 10A and 10B do not showthe sequence of this part). Then, the Web browser 9 requests the readingAPP 147 to transmit the home window 742 (step S4022). The reading APP147 transmits information of the home window 742 to the mobile terminal14 in response to the request (step S4023). The mobile terminal 14displays the received home window 742 on the Web browser 9 (step S4022).Then, the mobile terminal 14 waits for a user input operation (stepS4024).

As described above, the present invention can be similarly applied tothe reading job as in the print job in the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

The first embodiment has exemplified the case in which the user operatesa Web browser 27 of an MFP 3 to print a document opened by a documentcreation APP 145, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In this case, a mechanismin which the user operates the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3, the documentcreation APP 145 issues one print job, and the MFP 3 prints that printjob with the top priority can be realized. However, a case will beexamined wherein the document creation APP 145 includes a function ofsuccessively printing a plurality of documents in turn. In this case, inthe first embodiment, since a top priority job queue shown in FIG. 18Ahas a size for one job, print jobs successively issued from the documentcreation APP 145 cannot be correctly printed in an order they areissued. The fourth embodiment will explain an example which can solvethis problem. Note that in the description of the fourth embodiments, adescription of the contents which have already been described in thefirst to third embodiments will not be repeated.

(Job Registration Processing)

FIG. 12 shows an example of the flowchart showing job registrationprocessing in a proxy APP 143. This processing is executed in place ofFIG. 11 in the processes of step S3615 in FIG. 6B, S3709 in FIG. 7A,step S3815 in FIG. 8B, step S3915 in FIG. 9B, and step S4009 in FIG.10A. Also, this embodiment uses the job queue configuration shown inFIG. 18D.

When job registration processing is requested, in FIG. 12 , the proxyAPP 143 starts the job registration processing (step S4201). In stepS4202, the proxy APP 143 confirms a type of a host as a job requestsource. If the proxy APP 143 determines that the host is an MFP(host=mfp) (YES in step S4202), the process advances to step S4203; ifit determines that the host is other than the MFP (mobile terminal orPC) (NO in step S4202), the process advances to step S4209.

In step S4203, the proxy APP 143 confirms the presence/absence of jobsin the top priority job queue in the job queue shown in FIG. 18D. If theproxy APP 143 determines that jobs are present in the top priority jobqueue in the job queue (YES in step S4204), the process advances to stepS4205; otherwise (NO in step S4204), the process jumps to step S4208. Instep S4205, the proxy APP 143 obtains issued year/month/day/time data ofrespective jobs with reference to job information shown in FIG. 19A forall existing jobs in the top priority job queue.

In step S4206, the proxy APP 143 obtains issued year/month/day/time dataof the job as a registration target. In step S4207, the proxy APP 143registers the job in the top priority job queue in an issuedyear/month/day/time order, and saves respective pieces of information ina table which is required to store job information and is shown in FIG.19A. In step S4208, the proxy APP 143 registers the job at the headposition in the top priority job queue.

In step S4209, the proxy APP 143 confirms a job type. If the proxy APP143 determines that the job type is a print job (YES in step S4209), theprocess advances to step S4210; if it determines that the job type isanother job type (reading job) (NO in step S4209), the process advancesto step S4211. In step S4210, the proxy APP 143 registers the job at thebottom position of a general print queue in the job queue shown in FIG.18D, and saves respective pieces of information in the table which isrequired to store job information and is shown in FIG. 19A or 19B. Instep S4211, the proxy APP 143 registers the job in a general scan queuein the job queue shown in FIG. 18D, and saves respective pieces ofinformation in the table which in required to store job information andis shown in FIG. 19A or 19B. After the job registration, the proxy APP143 generates a job ID (print job ID or reading job ID) in step S4212.In step S4213, the proxy APP 143 returns the job ID (print job ID orreading job ID) to a call source of this processing, thus ending thisprocessing sequence (step S4213).

As described above, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment,a plurality of jobs successively issued by the MFP can be processed in acorrect order.

Fifth Embodiment

The first to third embodiments have exemplified the case in which adocument creation APP 145 or reading APP 147 notifies an MFP 3 ofinformation indicating that a job has been issued. As anotherembodiment, in place of the case in which the document creation APP 145(or reading APP 147) notifies the MFP 3 of information indicating that ajob has been issued, a proxy APP 143 may issue a job notification to theMFP 3. At this time, the proxy APP 143 notifies the MFP 3 of the jobnotification including a job ID (print job ID or reading job ID). Thus,the MFP 3 need not wait for an elapse of an assumed time required forimage conversion in step S3618 in FIG. 6B or step S3818 in FIG. 8B.

In this embodiment, processing after the proxy APP 143 executes jobregistration processing (step S3615 in FIG. 6B, step S3815 in FIG. 8B,and step S3915 in FIG. 9B) is different from the above embodiments. Morespecifically, the proxy APP 143 adds information representing that atarget job is a job issued from a Web browser 27 of the MFP 3, that is,a job, a host of which is the MFP (host=mfp) to a job notification, andissues the job notification to the MFP 3. As a result, the MFP 3receives the job notification without any waiting time for imageconversion processing. Then, the MFP 3 executes processing shown in FIG.16B to be described later in place of that shown in FIG. 16A describedin the first embodiment, thus efficiently executing print processing orreading processing. Thus, the MFP 3 receives the job notification duringan interval between steps S3617 to S3619 (or steps S3817 to S3819 orsteps S3917 to S3918) without executing the processing of step S3618 inFIG. 6B (or step S3818 in FIG. 8B).

FIG. 16B is a flowchart showing job notification reception processing inthe MFP 3. Note that job notification presence information is the sameas that in FIG. 16A described in the first embodiment. Also, in FIG.16B, the same step numbers denote the steps which execute the sameprocesses as those described in FIG. 16A, and a description thereof maynot be repeated.

Upon reception of a job notification issued from the proxy APP 143, inFIG. 16B, the MFP 3 starts job notification reception processing (stepS4601). The MFP 3 confirms whether or not an application is in executionon the Web browser 27 (step S4602). If the MFP 3 determines that theapplication is in execution on the Web browser 27 (YES in step S4603),the process advances to step S4609; otherwise (NO in step S4603), theprocess advances to step S4605. Note that when the MFP 3 launches theWeb browser 27 but no application is executed, it is determined in stepS4603 that the application is in execution on the Web browser 27.

In step S4609, based on information added to the job notification, theMFP 3 confirms whether or not the job is that issued from a device, thatis, it is a job, a host of which is the MFP (host=mfp). If the MFP 3determines that the job is that issued from the device (NO in stepS4610), the process advances to step S4604; otherwise (YES in stepS4610), the process advances to step S4605.

In step S4606, the MFP 3 receives print job information or reading jobinformation, and the process advances to step S4607. A description ofthe subsequent processes will not be given. Thus, in addition to theeffects of the first embodiment, a processing waiting time can bereduced.

Sixth Embodiment

Still another embodiment according to the present invention will bedescribed as the sixth embodiment. A case will be examined below whereinthe user launches a document creation APP 145 or reading APP 147 from aWeb browser 27 of an MFP 3 to make a print request operation or readingrequest operation, and the document creation APP 145 or reading APP 147issues a job. In such case, it is expected that the MFP 3 surely obtainsand processes the issued job.

In this embodiment, for example, in step S3619 in FIG. 6B described inthe first embodiment, when the MFP 3 issues a job obtaining request to aproxy APP 143, it adds, to this job obtaining request, an attributewhich requests only job information of a job issued from a device, thatis, a job, a host of which is the MFP (host=mfp). Upon reception of thisjob information, the proxy APP 143 executes only processes of stepsS4401 to S4404 and S4412 to S4414 in FIG. 14 , and returns jobinformation in a top priority job queue to the MFP 3. In this case, whenthe proxy APP 143 determines that no job is present in the top priorityjob queue (NO in step S4404), it executes only the processes of stepsS4411 and S4414. Thus, a job which is issued when the user operates theWeb browser 27 of the MFP 3 to make a print request operation or readingrequest operation can be surely printed by the MFP 3 without beinginterrupted by another job, thus improving the user's operability.

In step S3617 in FIG. 6B, the MFP 3 confirms an obtained job ID. As aresult, the MFP 3 determines a print job since the obtained job ID isthat with “prn”. The MFP 3 adds, in step S3619, an attribute whichrequests only job information of a print job, as described above when itissues a job (print job) obtaining request to the proxy APP 143. Uponreception of the job information added with this attribute information,the proxy APP 143 confirms the presence/absence of only a print job fromthose in a top priority job queue in step S4403 in FIG. 14 . Then, ifthe proxy APP 143 determines that a print job is present (YES in stepS4404), it executes the processes of steps S4412 to S4414 to return jobinformation of the print job to the MFP 3. Otherwise (NO in step S4404),the MFP 3 executes the processes of steps S4411 and S4414. Thus, whenthe document creation APP 145 issues a print job, the MFP 3 can surelyreceive that print job and can execute print processing, thus improvingthe user's operability.

The same applies to a reading job. In this case, a job ID is given with“scn”. Therefore, even when the reading APP 147 issues a reading job,the MFP 3 can surely receive that reading job and can execute readingprocessing, thus improving the user's operability.

Seventh Embodiment

The first embodiment has exemplified the case in which a user operationof a document creation APP 145 utilizing a Web browser 27 is temporarilynot accepted during an interval from an operation in step S3612 untilstep S3624 in FIG. 6B, and an MFP 3 executes print processing. At thistime, the MFP 3 executes print processing without quitting the Webbrowser 27. However, some low-end MFPs cannot execute print processingwhile a Web browser is active due to limitations on hardware resourcessuch as a CPU 15 and RAM 17. The seventh embodiment to cope with such acase will be described.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show an example of the flowchart showing processingwhen the document creation APP 145 is executed from the Web browser 27of the MFP 3 to execute print processing. FIGS. 22A and 22B correspondto FIGS. 6A and 6B described in the first embodiment. The same stepnumbers denote the contents which have already been described in FIGS.6A and 6B, and a description thereof will not be repeated in FIGS. 22Aand 22B. Also, processes corresponding to steps S3602 to S3606 in FIG.6A are not shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, and a description thereof willnot be repeated, either.

In FIGS. 22A and 22B, when the user launches the Web browser 27 of theMFP 3 and executes the document creation APP 145, this processingsequence is started (step S5201). The MFP 3 excludes an externally inputjob, and also excludes a job notification by disconnecting a jobnotification communication link (step S5202). The MFP 3 notifies a proxyAPP 143 of information indicating that the Web browser 27 is in use(step S5203). Upon reception of the information indicating that the Webbrowser 27 is in use from the MFP 3, the proxy APP 143 transitions froma normal mode to an MFP dedicated mode when a target device whichprocesses a job is the MFP 3 (step S5204).

In this “MFP dedicated mode”, the proxy APP 143 determines by adding acondition that limits a job range to a job, a host of which is the MFP(host=mfp) as a determination condition in step S4304 or S4307 in FIG.13 . Therefore, in the MFP dedicated mode, even when a job, a host ofwhich is other than the MFP (host=phone), is present in a job queue instep S4304 or S4307 in FIG. 13 , the proxy APP 143 determines “false”(NO in step S4304 or S4307). By contrast, only when a job, a host ofwhich is the MFP (host=mfp) is present, the proxy APP 143 determines“true” (YES in step S4304 or S4307). Also, in the MFP dedicated mode, inFIG. 14 , the MFP 3 executes only processes of steps S4401 to S4404 andS4412 to S4414, and does not execute those of steps S4405 to S4411.

Thus, when the proxy APP 143 is in the MFP dedicated mode of the targetdevice (MFP 3 in this case), only a job issued from the documentcreation APP 145 or reading APP 147 when the user operates the Webbrowser 27 of the MFP 3 is processed.

After the proxy APP 143 transitions to the MFP dedicated mode in stepS5204, processes of steps S3608 to S3616 are executed. During executionof these processes, the document creation APP 145 notifies the MFP 3 ofinformation indicating that a print job has been issued. At this time,the document creation APP 145 notifies the MFP 3 of the information tobe notified, which includes a job ID (print job ID) returned from acloud print APP 146. This notification can be implemented by utilizing,for example, the JavaScript® embedded in Web page information.

When a print job is issued, the Web browser 27 executes a Printfunction, which is exported by the MFP 3 to the Web browser 27, via theJavaScript®. When the Print function is called, the MFP 3 receivesinformation representing that the print job is registered in the printqueue. At this time, a job ID (print job ID) included in the receivedinformation is passed to the MFP 3 as an argument of the Print function,and the MFP 3 also obtains the job ID (print job ID) generated by theprint APP 143 (step S5205).

The MFP 3 saves a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a page (a homewindow of the document creation APP 145) to be displayed at the nextlaunch timing of the Web browser 27 in a RAM 17, thus quitting the Webbrowser 27 (step S5205). Furthermore, in step S5205, upon reception ofinformation indicating that the print job has already been issued, theMFP 3 displays a message indicating that execution of print-relatedprocessing is in progress like “in print preparation” or “print inprogress” on the display unit 21. Then, the MFP 3 notifies the user oftransition to a print mode (print processing in progress). At this time,the MFP 3 displays this message without using the Web browser 27. Afterthat, processes of steps S3618 to S3623 are executed, and the processthen advances to step S5206.

In step S5206, the MFP 3 launches the Web browser 27. Then, the Webbrowser 27 accesses the page (the home window of the document creationAPP 145) designated by the URL saved in the RAM 17 in step S5205 torequest the document creation APP 145 to transmit the home window. Thedocument creation APP 145 transmits information of the home window tothe MFP 3 in response to the request (step S5207). The MFP 3 displaysthe home window on the Web browser 27 (step S5206).

When the user presses a home button (not shown) of an operation unit 20of the MFP 3, the MFP 3 quits the Web browser 27, and displays a homewindow of the MFP 3 on the display unit 21 (step S5208). The MFP 3notifies the proxy APP 143 of information indicating that the Webbrowser 27 has been quit (step S5209). Upon reception of thenotification indicating the Web browser has been quit from the MFP 3,the proxy APP 143 transitions from the MFP dedicated mode to the normalmode when the target device which processes a job is the MFP 3 (stepS5210). Then, the MFP 3 waits for a user input operation (step S5211).

(Exclusive Control Cancel Processing)

FIG. 23B is a flowchart showing exclusive control cancel processing inthe MFP 3 according to this embodiment. This processing is executed inplace of that shown in FIG. 23A described in the first embodiment. Afterthe MFP 3 quits the Web browser 27 and displays the MFP home window onthe display unit 21 in step S5208 in FIG. 22B, it starts this processingsequence (step S5351). The MFP 3 establishes a job notificationcommunication link, which was disconnected in step S5202 in FIG. 22A, tocancel the exclusive control of a job notification (step S5352). Then,the MFP 3 cancels the exclusive control of an externally input job (stepS5353). After that, this processing sequence ends (step S5354).

The MFP 3 may execute the exclusive control cancel processing when atime-out is reached. For example, the document creation APP 145 monitorsHTTP request intervals from the Web browser 27 of the MFP 3. Then, whenan HTTP request from the Web browser 27 is not received for a certaintime period (for example, 5 min), the document creation APP 145 notifiesthe MFP 3 of a time-out via the JavaScript® embedded in Web pageinformation. More specifically, the Web browser 27 executes a Timeoutfunction, which is exported by the MFP 3 to the Web browser 27, via theJavaScript®. When the Timeout function is called, the MFP 3 executes theexclusive control cancel processing shown in FIG. 23B.

Furthermore, with FIGS. 22A and 22B, the configuration for transitioningto a mode which permits only acceptance of a job notification byexcluding an externally input job (step S3607 in FIG. 6A) and the fifthembodiment may be combined. Thus, as shown in step S4309 in FIG. 13 ,the proxy APP 143 is configured to issue a job notification to the MFP3. At this time, the proxy APP 143 issues a job notification to the MFP3 only when a job, a host of which is the MFP (host=mfp), is present ina job queue. As a result, the MFP 3 executes only a job, a host of whichis the MFP (host=mfp), and need not wait for an elapse of an assumedtime required for image conversion unlike in step S3618, thus improvingthe user's operability. Note that in this case, in step S5208 in FIG.22B, the MFP 3 executes the exclusive control cancel processing shown inFIG. 23A after it quits the Web browser 27 and displays the MFP homewindow on the display unit 21.

Eighth Embodiment

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow. For example, when an MFP is a low-end one in which an operationunit 20 does not include any buttons required to make complicatedoperations, and no display unit 21 is included, a mobile terminal may beused in place of the operation unit 20 and display unit 21 in somecases. The following two cases are assumed as an example of such case.

Case 1: The mobile terminal and MFP are connected via USB (UniversalSerial Bus) or the like

Case 2: The mobile terminal and MFP are connected via a wirelessnetwork.

In case 1, the MFP is registered in a cloud print service and cloud scanservice via the mobile terminal. In this case, when a Web browser of themobile terminal issues a print request to a document creation APP 145 orissues a reading request to a reading APP 147, it executes the sameprocessing as the MFP 3 (Web browser 27) shown in FIGS. 6, 8 , and 9.

In case 2, when the document creation APP 145 or reading APP 147 isopened from the Web browser of the mobile terminal, each APP determineswhether or not the mobile terminal is operated from the same place asthat of the MFP. As this determination method, for example, a global IPaddress or MAC address of a router to which the mobile terminal isconnected, and that of a router to which the MFP is connected areobtained. Then, when the two global IP addresses match, theconfiguration of case 2 can be determined. As another determinationmethod, when the two MAC addresses match, the same place is determined.When it is determined that the mobile terminal is operated from the sameplace as the MFP, and when the Web browser of the mobile terminal issuesa print request to the document creation APP 145 or issues a readingrequest to the reading APP 147, it executes the same processing as theMFP 3 (Web browser 27) shown in FIGS. 6, 8 , and 9.

In this manner, even when the MFP includes neither an operation unitincluding buttons required to make complicated operations nor thedisplay unit 21, and when the mobile terminal is used in place of theoperation unit and display unit, the present invention is applicable. Asa result, in the same manner as in the operation of the Web browser 27of the MFP 3, a print request or reading request issued from the Webbrowser of the mobile terminal can be processed with the top priority,thus assuring excellent user's operability.

Ninth Embodiment

The aforementioned embodiments assume a PC as an information processingapparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to thisexample, and it is applicable to an arbitrary information processingapparatus (terminal) (for example, a DVD player, game, set-top box,Internet home appliances, and the like), which allows a similar usemethod. Also, the aforementioned embodiments assume an MFP as aperipheral apparatus. However, the peripheral apparatus may be any of acopying machine, facsimile, scanner, digital camera, apparatus includingthese multi-functions, and the like.

The aforementioned embodiments have exemplified the Windows® OS as anOS. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and anarbitrary OS can be used. The aforementioned embodiments use Ethernet®as a network configuration example. However, the present invention isnot limited to such specific example, and an arbitrary interface such asa wireless LAN, IEEE1394, Bluetooth®, or USB may be used. Also,functions in various applications (firmware), and some or all ofprocesses related to the aforementioned flowcharts may be configuredusing dedicated hardware.

According to the aforementioned embodiments, even when a cloud system isused as a control system, it is easy to built the system and toimplement applications, thus reducing development and management costs.Also, since no problem is posed for implementation of firmware for alow-performance printer or a low-end MFP like the MFP 3, and respectiveprocesses do not require long time, the user's operability can beimproved.

An application which is used to print a document like the documentcreation APP 145 has been exemplified. However, the present invention isnot limited to this. For example, the present invention may be appliedto an application used to print a photo, that used to transmit orreceive facsimile data, that which utilizes or controls other peripheralapparatuses, and the like.

Details of the processes in principal cases have been explained usingthe flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6A to 17 and FIGS. 21A to 23B. However,the present invention is not limited to these cases. For example, anembodiment (case) obtained by combining respective processing steps inthese figures and a control system obtained by combining a generalcontrol system and the present invention are included in the applicationrange of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more ofa central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or othercircuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separatecomputer processors. The computer executable instructions may beprovided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storagemedium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of ahard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), astorage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™,a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2013-022645, filed Feb. 7, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing apparatus comprising: at least oneprocessor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to functionas: a display unit configured to display, based on a first useroperation to the printing apparatus that is executing a displayfunction, a predetermined display screen for first printing, wherein thefirst printing is printing an image on a sheet; and a performing unitconfigured to, if the first printing is requested to the printingapparatus based on a second user operation to the printing apparatusafter the predetermined display screen is displayed, perform the firstprinting, wherein, if a second printing that is different from the firstprinting is requested to the printing apparatus in a state where thepredetermined display screen is displayed by the display unit, therequested second printing is not performed by executing a control basedon a fact that the first user operation is executed, and wherein thecontrol is not to perform the requested second printing at least duringdisplaying the predetermined display screen, and wherein the secondprinting is printing an image on a sheet and is requested without thesecond user operation.
 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to function as:a job request unit configured to request a print job after the firstprinting is requested, wherein the performing unit performs printingbased on the print job received by requesting by the job request unit,wherein, the control is controlling the job request unit such that atleast one print job that is corresponding to the second printing is notrequested by the job request unit.
 3. The printing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured tofunction as: a notification receiving unit configured to receive anotification indicating that printing is requested to the printingapparatus, wherein the notification receiving unit does not receive anotification indicating that the first printing is requested to theprinting apparatus, and receives a notification indicating that thesecond printing is requested to the printing apparatus.
 4. The printingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second printing is printingrequested by a terminal apparatus that is external to the printingapparatus.
 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theat least one processor is further configured to function as: a sendingunit configured, if the first printing is requested to the printingapparatus based on the second user operation, to send informationindicating that a request source is the printing apparatus.
 6. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first printing isprinting an image on a sheet based on content that is provided to theprinting apparatus via Internet by a server that is external to theprinting apparatus.
 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the server is a Web application server that provides the contentof a Web application to the printing apparatus.
 8. The printingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined display screenis for selecting content for the first printing, wherein the firstprinting is based on the content that is selected by a user through thepredetermined display screen.
 9. The printing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein, the printing apparatus is able to utilize a pluralityof applications that are provided from a plurality of different servers,and wherein, the first printing is printing content that is provided viaInternet by any one of the plurality of applications.
 10. The printingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the control is a control not toreceive at least a part of a print job that is corresponding to thesecond printing by the printing apparatus.
 11. The printing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein, the control is a control not to performthe second printing corresponding to at least one print job registeredin a job queue.
 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, a plurality of printing requests accepted before thepredetermined display screen is displayed are performed in a requestedorder.
 13. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, inresponse to the first user operation, a screen relating to the firstprinting is displayed, wherein the predetermined display screen isdisplayed after the screen relating to the first printing is displayed.14. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, based on thesecond user operation, a screen including a print button is displayed,wherein, in response to an operation to the print button, the firstprinting is requested to the printing apparatus.
 15. The printingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is aninkjet printer.
 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to function as: anotification unit configured to execute notification indicating thatprinting is requested to the printing apparatus, wherein thenotification unit does not execute, even if the first printing isrequested to the printing apparatus, notification indicating that thefirst printing is requested, and executes, in a case that the secondprinting is requested to the printing apparatus, notification indicatingthat the second printing is requested.
 17. A method of controlling aprinting apparatus, the method comprising: displaying, based on a firstuser operation to the printing apparatus that is executing a displayfunction, a predetermined display screen for first printing, wherein thefirst printing is printing an image on a sheet; and if the firstprinting is requested to the printing apparatus based on a second useroperation to the printing apparatus after the predetermined displayscreen is displayed, performing the first printing, wherein, if a secondprinting that is different from the first printing is requested to theprinting apparatus in a state where the predetermined display screen isdisplayed by the display unit, the requested second printing is notperformed by executing a control based on a fact that the first useroperation is execute, and wherein the control is not to perform therequested second printing at least during displaying the predetermineddisplay screen, and wherein the second printing is printing an image ona sheet and is requested without the second user operation.
 18. A systemincluding a printing apparatus and a server that is external to theprinting apparatus, the server comprising: at least one processor,wherein the at least one processor is configured to function as: aproviding unit configured to providing content to the printing apparatusvia Internet, the printing apparatus comprising: at least one processor,wherein the at least one processor is configured to function as: adisplay unit configured to display, based on a first user operation tothe printing apparatus that is executing a display function, apredetermined display screen for first printing, wherein the firstprinting is printing an image on a sheet based on the content that isprovided to the printing apparatus via the Internet by the server; and aperforming unit configured to, if the first printing is requested to theprinting apparatus based on a second user operation to the printingapparatus after the predetermined display screen is displayed, performthe first printing, wherein, if a second printing that is different fromthe first printing is requested to the printing apparatus in a statewhere the predetermined display screen is displayed by the display unit,the requested second printing is not performed by executing a controlbased on a fact that the first user operation is execute, and whereinthe control is not to perform the requested second printing at leastduring displaying the predetermined display screen, and wherein thesecond printing is printing an image on a sheet and is requested withoutthe second user operation.
 19. The printing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the first printing is printing an image on a sheet based oncontent that is provided to the printing apparatus via Internet by aserver that is external to the printing apparatus, wherein thepredetermined display screen is for selecting content for the firstprinting, wherein the first printing is based on the content that isselected by a user through the predetermined display screen.